NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A federal appeals court has declined, for now, to allow the Biden administration to require COVID-19 vaccinations for federal employees.

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans ruled 2-1 Wednesday to maintain a block on the mandate that a Texas-based federal judge had issued on Jan. 21. The administration had asked the New Orleans court for an injunction allowing the federal worker mandate to move forward pending appeal.

President Joe Biden announced in September that more than 3.5 million federal workers were required to undergo vaccination, with no option to get regularly tested instead, unless they secured approved medical or religious exemptions. The requirement kicked in this past November. White House press secretary Jen Psaki said last month that 98% of federal workers are vaccinated.

Judge Jeffrey Brown, who was appointed to the District Court for the Southern District of Texas by then-President Donald Trump, issued an injunction against the requirement last month, saying the Biden administration exceeded its authority.

The 5th Circuit panel’s order didn’t address the merits of the case. It was a brief order by judges Jerry Smith and Don Willett putting off a decision on whether to lift the injunction pending further proceedings, and ordering the expedited filing of briefs.

Judge Stephen Higginson issued a 10-page dissent noting that a dozen other district judges had declined to block the rule. Higginson said many private businesses had adopted vaccine mandates, adding “the public interest is not served by a single ... district judge, lacking public health expertise and made unaccountable through life tenure, telling the President of the United States, in his capacity as CEO of the federal workforce, that he cannot take the same lifesaving workplace safety measures as these private sector CEOs.”

Smith was nominated to the 5th Circuit by President Ronald Reagan; Willett, by Trump; and Higginson, by President Barack Obama.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1641245951468.png" alt="President Joe Biden announced in September that more than 3.5 million federal workers were required to undergo vaccination, with no option to get regularly tested instead-White House photo" />
 <figcaption>President Joe Biden announced in September that more than 3.5 million federal workers were required to undergo vaccination, with no option to get regularly tested instead-White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A federal appeals court has declined, for now, to allow the Biden administration to require COVID-19 vaccinations for federal employees.The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans ruled 2-1 Wednesday to maintain a block on the mandate that a Texas-based federal judge had issued on Jan. 21. The administration had asked the New Orleans court for an injunction allowing the federal worker mandate to move forward pending appeal.President Joe Biden announced in September that more than 3.5 million federal workers were required to undergo vaccination, with no option to get regularly tested instead, unless they secured approved medical or religious exemptions. The requirement kicked in this past November. White House press secretary Jen Psaki said last month that 98% of federal workers are vaccinated.Judge Jeffrey Brown, who was appointed to the District Court for the Southern District of Texas by then-President Donald Trump, issued an injunction against the requirement last month, saying the Biden administration exceeded its authority.The 5th Circuit panel’s order didn’t address the merits of the case. It was a brief order by judges Jerry Smith and Don Willett putting off a decision on whether to lift the injunction pending further proceedings, and ordering the expedited filing of briefs.Judge Stephen Higginson issued a 10-page dissent noting that a dozen other district judges had declined to block the rule. Higginson said many private businesses had adopted vaccine mandates, adding “the public interest is not served by a single ... district judge, lacking public health expertise and made unaccountable through life tenure, telling the President of the United States, in his capacity as CEO of the federal workforce, that he cannot take the same lifesaving workplace safety measures as these private sector CEOs.”Smith was nominated to the 5th Circuit by President Ronald Reagan; Willett, by Trump; and Higginson, by President Barack Obama.

2nd federal court blocks vaccine mandate for federal workers 

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Authorities are working to determine the exact cause of a house fire.

Just after 4:30p.m. Thursday, fire crews&nbsp;responded to a fire at a home at 527 SE Swygart Street in Topeka, according to&nbsp;Assistant Fire Marshal Dylan Smith.&nbsp;

Upon arrival, fire crews found smoke and flames coming from the front of a one-story home.&nbsp; A search revealed there were no occupants inside the home. Firefighters rescued five dogs from the residence.

A preliminary investigation indicates the cause of the fire as Undetermined, most likely associated with a space heater malfunction. The estimated dollar loss – $18,000; $15,000 of which is associated with structural loss, $3,000 related to contents loss. The home did not have smoke alarms, according to Smith.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644544804138.png" alt="Thursday afternoon fire in Topeka. Photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Thursday afternoon fire in Topeka. Photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Authorities are working to determine the exact cause of a house fire.Just after 4:30p.m. Thursday, fire crews&nbsp;responded to a fire at a home at 527 SE Swygart Street in Topeka, according to&nbsp;Assistant Fire Marshal Dylan Smith.&nbsp;Upon arrival, fire crews found smoke and flames coming from the front of a one-story home.&nbsp; A search revealed there were no occupants inside the home. Firefighters rescued five dogs from the residence.A preliminary investigation indicates the cause of the fire as Undetermined, most likely associated with a space heater malfunction. The estimated dollar loss – $18,000; $15,000 of which is associated with structural loss, $3,000 related to contents loss. The home did not have smoke alarms, according to Smith.

5 dogs rescued from Kansas house fire

PIERCE, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say a northeastern Nebraska woman was killed earlier this week when a car she was in collided with a semitrailer. 

The Omaha World-Herald reports that the crash happened Tuesday night on U.S. Highway 81 near Pierce. 

The Pierce County Sheriff’s Office says 36-year-old Cassandra Lacost, of Pierce, was a passenger in a car driven by a 51-year-old Pierce man that crashed into the rear of a semitrailer that had pulled out onto the highway from a convenience store. 

Investigators say the car then went off the road and rolled. Lacost was taken to a Norfolk hospital, where she died. 

Neither the car's driver nor the truck driver were reported injured in the crash.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/6/1559737258290.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>From the Associated PressPIERCE, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say a northeastern Nebraska woman was killed earlier this week when a car she was in collided with a semitrailer. The Omaha World-Herald reports that the crash happened Tuesday night on U.S. Highway 81 near Pierce. The Pierce County Sheriff’s Office says 36-year-old Cassandra Lacost, of Pierce, was a passenger in a car driven by a 51-year-old Pierce man that crashed into the rear of a semitrailer that had pulled out onto the highway from a convenience store. Investigators say the car then went off the road and rolled. Lacost was taken to a Norfolk hospital, where she died. Neither the car's driver nor the truck driver were reported injured in the crash.

Northeast Nebraska woman killed in collision with semi

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say a small plane has made an emergency landing in a harvested cornfield in Nebraska after its engine went out. 

Lincoln Fire and Rescue, Waverly Fire and Southeast crews responded to the crash at about 8 p.m. Thursday east of Lincoln. KLKN-TV reported that the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office said there were two male passengers on the plane and both had minor injuries. Scanner reports say the plane had to deploy its parachute.

 The Federal Aviation Administration is expected to investigate.

From the Associated PressLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say a small plane has made an emergency landing in a harvested cornfield in Nebraska after its engine went out. Lincoln Fire and Rescue, Waverly Fire and Southeast crews responded to the crash at about 8 p.m. Thursday east of Lincoln. KLKN-TV reported that the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office said there were two male passengers on the plane and both had minor injuries. Scanner reports say the plane had to deploy its parachute. The Federal Aviation Administration is expected to investigate.

Small plane makes emergency landing in Nebraska cornfield

CULPEPER, Virginia (AP) — Unable to tame inflation that has worsened sharply under his watch, President Joe Biden stressed Thursday that his administration’s policies would cut prescription drug prices and make life more affordable for families.

He traveled to Culpeper, Virginia, on the heels of a dire inflation report on Thursday morning. Consumer prices jumped 7.5% over the year ending in January, as the sources of inflation have broadened on a monthly basis with increases in the costs of rent, electricity, clothes and household furnishings. The pandemic disrupted supply chains and government aid boosted consumer demand, causing prices for gasoline, food and other goods such as autos to rise earlier this year.

Inflation poses a triple threat for Biden. Prices at a 40-year peak have dimmed his public support and endangered his policy agenda, while efforts by the Federal Reserve to curb inflation could meaningfully slow the strong economic growth that had been a highlight of his first year.

“Inflation is up. It’s up.” Biden said. “But the fact is that if we’re able to do the things I’m talking about, it will bring down the cost for average families.”

The president said he will “work like the devil” to bring down gas prices and that “everyone has less money in their pockets today because of high drug costs,” as he pledged that his policies would give family budgets some breathing room. He said pharmaceutical companies should be able to make a profit, though they cannot price drugs at levels that hurt people’s financial wellbeing.

“The idea that you can charge whatever you want is just not going to happen.” the president said.

Biden’s trip to Virginia also served as an opportunity for him to start promoting his party’s candidates in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/midterm-elections">November’s midterm elections</a>. He appeared alongside Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger, who is in danger of losing her seat representing a central Virginia district.

Spanberger said she welcomes any effort to lower prescription drug prices and told reporters that the effort was about a broader attempt to reduce inflation.

“That’s part and parcel of what we’re here talking about, right?” she said. “So when you’re worried about the gas pump or you’re worried about the cost of chicken in the grocery store, and your child is diabetic — all those things become impactful.”

Spanberger is one of several Democrats who have raised alarms about slipping support from voters. She suggested in a November interview with The New York Times that Biden had overreached with his plans for new government programs that recalled the Depression-era agenda of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

“Nobody elected him to be FDR; they elected him to be normal and stop the chaos,” she said.

<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/03/us/politics/democrat-losses-2022.html" target="_blank">After the article was published</a>, Spanberger said, she got a call from Biden, who said “this is President Roosevelt calling.” Biden was “belly laughing,” she said.

Prescription drugs remain a politically safe focal point for Biden’s visit, and Spanberger said the president was right to push forward on it.

“One of the most unsettling things for people is the inability to afford their prescription drugs,” she said.

The tougher question is how to blunt Republican criticism on inflation and convince skittish lawmakers such as West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin to back Biden’s pared down economic agenda. Manchin, the decisive Democratic vote, has said the priority should be on stopping inflation rather than on more government spending. Meanwhile, Republicans seized on Thursday’s inflation report to blast Biden for his $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package for fueling the spike in prices.

“Rampant inflation and soaring prices are crushing, crushing the American people,” Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said Thursday in remarks on the Senate floor. “If you haven’t personally gotten a pay raise of 8% or more in the last year, then Democrats’ policies have given you a pay cut.”

A December poll by the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found inflation and personal financial issues rising as priorities for Americans. In an open-ended question, 14% named inflation among their top priorities for the government to be working on this year, compared with almost nobody naming it a year before.

In an AP-NORC poll conducted in January, just 37% said they approved of Biden’s handling of the economy, down from 60% in March of 2021 and slightly lower than his overall approval rating, which stood at 43%.

Efforts to lower prescription drug costs have long been popular with voters, but bipartisan consensus has proved elusive. It’s unclear if there’s a political path forward for Biden’s plans in Congress.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-lifestyle-health-business-congress-2c8b47fc0d99bca7190d84894e00ea32">His proposals</a>&nbsp;include capping out-of-pocket medication costs for Medicare recipients at $2,000 per year and insulin at $35 per month. In addition, Medicare would be allowed to negotiate prices for a limited number of prescription drugs and drugmakers would be required to pay rebates if they raise costs faster than inflation.

“It’s safe to say that all of us can agree that prescription drugs are outrageously expensive in this country,” Biden said Dec. 6.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644525308229.png" alt="“Inflation is up. It’s up.” Biden said. “But the fact is that if we’re able to do the things I’m talking about, it will bring down the cost for average families.”-White House photo" />
 <figcaption>“Inflation is up. It’s up.” Biden said. “But the fact is that if we’re able to do the things I’m talking about, it will bring down the cost for average families.”-White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>CULPEPER, Virginia (AP) — Unable to tame inflation that has worsened sharply under his watch, President Joe Biden stressed Thursday that his administration’s policies would cut prescription drug prices and make life more affordable for families.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWhiteHouse%2Fvideos%2F1135986570495032%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=984" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>He traveled to Culpeper, Virginia, on the heels of a dire inflation report on Thursday morning. Consumer prices jumped 7.5% over the year ending in January, as the sources of inflation have broadened on a monthly basis with increases in the costs of rent, electricity, clothes and household furnishings. The pandemic disrupted supply chains and government aid boosted consumer demand, causing prices for gasoline, food and other goods such as autos to rise earlier this year.Inflation poses a triple threat for Biden. Prices at a 40-year peak have dimmed his public support and endangered his policy agenda, while efforts by the Federal Reserve to curb inflation could meaningfully slow the strong economic growth that had been a highlight of his first year.“Inflation is up. It’s up.” Biden said. “But the fact is that if we’re able to do the things I’m talking about, it will bring down the cost for average families.”The president said he will “work like the devil” to bring down gas prices and that “everyone has less money in their pockets today because of high drug costs,” as he pledged that his policies would give family budgets some breathing room. He said pharmaceutical companies should be able to make a profit, though they cannot price drugs at levels that hurt people’s financial wellbeing.“The idea that you can charge whatever you want is just not going to happen.” the president said.Biden’s trip to Virginia also served as an opportunity for him to start promoting his party’s candidates in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/midterm-elections">November’s midterm elections</a>. He appeared alongside Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger, who is in danger of losing her seat representing a central Virginia district.Spanberger said she welcomes any effort to lower prescription drug prices and told reporters that the effort was about a broader attempt to reduce inflation.“That’s part and parcel of what we’re here talking about, right?” she said. “So when you’re worried about the gas pump or you’re worried about the cost of chicken in the grocery store, and your child is diabetic — all those things become impactful.”Spanberger is one of several Democrats who have raised alarms about slipping support from voters. She suggested in a November interview with The New York Times that Biden had overreached with his plans for new government programs that recalled the Depression-era agenda of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.“Nobody elected him to be FDR; they elected him to be normal and stop the chaos,” she said.<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/03/us/politics/democrat-losses-2022.html" target="_blank">After the article was published</a>, Spanberger said, she got a call from Biden, who said “this is President Roosevelt calling.” Biden was “belly laughing,” she said.Prescription drugs remain a politically safe focal point for Biden’s visit, and Spanberger said the president was right to push forward on it.“One of the most unsettling things for people is the inability to afford their prescription drugs,” she said.The tougher question is how to blunt Republican criticism on inflation and convince skittish lawmakers such as West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin to back Biden’s pared down economic agenda. Manchin, the decisive Democratic vote, has said the priority should be on stopping inflation rather than on more government spending. Meanwhile, Republicans seized on Thursday’s inflation report to blast Biden for his $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package for fueling the spike in prices.“Rampant inflation and soaring prices are crushing, crushing the American people,” Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said Thursday in remarks on the Senate floor. “If you haven’t personally gotten a pay raise of 8% or more in the last year, then Democrats’ policies have given you a pay cut.”A December poll by the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found inflation and personal financial issues rising as priorities for Americans. In an open-ended question, 14% named inflation among their top priorities for the government to be working on this year, compared with almost nobody naming it a year before.In an AP-NORC poll conducted in January, just 37% said they approved of Biden’s handling of the economy, down from 60% in March of 2021 and slightly lower than his overall approval rating, which stood at 43%.Efforts to lower prescription drug costs have long been popular with voters, but bipartisan consensus has proved elusive. It’s unclear if there’s a political path forward for Biden’s plans in Congress.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-lifestyle-health-business-congress-2c8b47fc0d99bca7190d84894e00ea32">His proposals</a>&nbsp;include capping out-of-pocket medication costs for Medicare recipients at $2,000 per year and insulin at $35 per month. In addition, Medicare would be allowed to negotiate prices for a limited number of prescription drugs and drugmakers would be required to pay rebates if they raise costs faster than inflation.“It’s safe to say that all of us can agree that prescription drugs are outrageously expensive in this country,” Biden said Dec. 6.

🎥Unable to tame inflation Biden attacks cost of prescription drugs

New
 data from the Federal Trade Commission show that more consumers than 
ever report falling prey to romance scammers. Consumers reported losing 
$547 million in 2021 alone.

A newly released <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/blogs/data-spotlight/2022/02/reports-romance-scams-hit-record-highs-2021">data spotlight</a>&nbsp;shows
 that in 2021 reported losses to romance scammers were up nearly 80 
percent compared to 2020, and the total reported lost over the past five
 years has now reached $1.3 billion. &nbsp;

Romance scammers draw 
people in using pictures stolen from around the internet, building false
 personas that seem just real enough to be true, but always having a 
reason never to meet in person. Eventually, the supposed suitor will ask
 for money from the unwitting consumer. The impact can be major, with a 
median loss of $2,400 reported to the FTC.

While many people 
report the romance scam started on a dating site or app, reports of 
romance scams originating from contact through social media were also 
common.

Another trend in 2021 was an increase in reports of 
romance scammers luring consumers into phony cryptocurrency investment 
schemes. According to the spotlight, consumers who paid romance scammers
 with cryptocurrency reported losing $139 million in total in 2021, more
 than any other payment amount. The median loss for consumers who 
reported paying a romance scammer with cryptocurrency was nearly 
$10,000. Nevertheless, consumers most often report sending money to 
romance scammers by using gift cards, with about a quarter of 2021 
reports citing gift cards as a payment method.

The FTC provides tips for consumers on how to spot romance scams and protect themselves at ftc.gov/romancescams.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619632629588.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FTCNew
 data from the Federal Trade Commission show that more consumers than 
ever report falling prey to romance scammers. Consumers reported losing 
$547 million in 2021 alone.A newly released <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/blogs/data-spotlight/2022/02/reports-romance-scams-hit-record-highs-2021">data spotlight</a>&nbsp;shows
 that in 2021 reported losses to romance scammers were up nearly 80 
percent compared to 2020, and the total reported lost over the past five
 years has now reached $1.3 billion. &nbsp;Romance scammers draw 
people in using pictures stolen from around the internet, building false
 personas that seem just real enough to be true, but always having a 
reason never to meet in person. Eventually, the supposed suitor will ask
 for money from the unwitting consumer. The impact can be major, with a 
median loss of $2,400 reported to the FTC.While many people 
report the romance scam started on a dating site or app, reports of 
romance scams originating from contact through social media were also 
common.Another trend in 2021 was an increase in reports of 
romance scammers luring consumers into phony cryptocurrency investment 
schemes. According to the spotlight, consumers who paid romance scammers
 with cryptocurrency reported losing $139 million in total in 2021, more
 than any other payment amount. The median loss for consumers who 
reported paying a romance scammer with cryptocurrency was nearly 
$10,000. Nevertheless, consumers most often report sending money to 
romance scammers by using gift cards, with about a quarter of 2021 
reports citing gift cards as a payment method.The FTC provides tips for consumers on how to spot romance scams and protect themselves at ftc.gov/romancescams.

Americans lost $547M to romance scams in 2021

LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (AP) — A 38-year-old man has been sentenced in the death of a Leavenworth man who was stabbed more than 25 times. 

Jeffery Samulczyk was sentenced Wednesday to life in prison with the possibility of parole in 25 years. He pleaded guilty in January to felony murder in the death of Joshua Gilson, whose body was found wrapped in plastic in the basement of his Leavenworth home in October 2020.

Investigators found text messages between Samulczyk and the victim's wife, discussing the murder and how to cover it up. Text messages also indicated that Alexandra Gilson and Jeffery Samulczyk were having an affair.

Alexandra, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder last year and was also sentenced to life in prison.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1604404064511.png" alt="Samulczyk-photo Leavenworth Co." />
 <figcaption>Samulczyk-photo Leavenworth Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (AP) — A 38-year-old man has been sentenced in the death of a Leavenworth man who was stabbed more than 25 times. Jeffery Samulczyk was sentenced Wednesday to life in prison with the possibility of parole in 25 years. He pleaded guilty in January to felony murder in the death of Joshua Gilson, whose body was found wrapped in plastic in the basement of his Leavenworth home in October 2020.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1604366540962.png" alt="Gilson photo Leavenworth Co." />
 <figcaption>Gilson photo Leavenworth Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Investigators found text messages between Samulczyk and the victim's wife, discussing the murder and how to cover it up. Text messages also indicated that Alexandra Gilson and Jeffery Samulczyk were having an affair.Alexandra, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder last year and was also sentenced to life in prison.&nbsp;

Man texted Kansas woman on how to cover up husband's murder

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A proposal to dredge a new lake along the Platte River between Omaha and Lincoln drew questions and no clear answers from cities, conservationists and a landowner who might be in the project’s path. 

Some organizations said Thursday that they didn’t outright oppose the idea but raised concerns about the potential lake’s impact on the river and surrounding area. 

Conservationists say they're worried about the impact on wildlife and the environment, while water regulators from Omaha and Lincoln are concerned about how it might affect their water supplies. 

The measure’s sponsor, Speaker of the Legislature Mike Hilgers, says more studies will be conducted before the state moves forward.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1627381784925.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A proposal to dredge a new lake along the Platte River between Omaha and Lincoln drew questions and no clear answers from cities, conservationists and a landowner who might be in the project’s path. Some organizations said Thursday that they didn’t outright oppose the idea but raised concerns about the potential lake’s impact on the river and surrounding area. Conservationists say they're worried about the impact on wildlife and the environment, while water regulators from Omaha and Lincoln are concerned about how it might affect their water supplies. The measure’s sponsor, Speaker of the Legislature Mike Hilgers, says more studies will be conducted before the state moves forward.

New Nebraska lake proposal draws questions, concerns

United States Attorney Jan Sharp announced that Cody J. Behrens, 40, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced on February 9, 2022, in Lincoln by United States District Judge John M. Gerrard for receipt of child pornography.&nbsp; Behrens was sentenced to 60 months in prison and will also serve 5 years on supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.&nbsp; After serving his prison sentence, Behrens will also be required to register as a sex offender.&nbsp;

In August of 2019, the Nebraska States Patrol received two cybertips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). NCMEC is the national clearinghouse for child exploitation material and reports under federal law.&nbsp; According to the cybertips, an internet search engine became aware of 26 image files of suspected child pornography associated with an online email account registered to Behrens.&nbsp; Additional information, including IP addresses, a phone number, and a secondary email address related to the account were also provided to NCMEC.

Investigators traced several IP addresses to the internet provider and subsequently to the subscriber on the account.&nbsp; Additional information determined that the subscriber using the IP addresses on the dates in question was associated with the Behrens’s residence in Lincoln.&nbsp;

A search warrant was served on Behrens’s residence and his cellular phone was seized.&nbsp; Forensic examination revealed 63 images and 3 videos of child pornography on the phone.&nbsp; A number of these images and videos were the same as those uploaded to the email account.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.justice.gov/psc" target="_blank">www.justice.gov/psc</a>.

This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol.

News Release US Attorney-OmahaUnited States Attorney Jan Sharp announced that Cody J. Behrens, 40, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced on February 9, 2022, in Lincoln by United States District Judge John M. Gerrard for receipt of child pornography.&nbsp; Behrens was sentenced to 60 months in prison and will also serve 5 years on supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.&nbsp; After serving his prison sentence, Behrens will also be required to register as a sex offender.&nbsp;In August of 2019, the Nebraska States Patrol received two cybertips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). NCMEC is the national clearinghouse for child exploitation material and reports under federal law.&nbsp; According to the cybertips, an internet search engine became aware of 26 image files of suspected child pornography associated with an online email account registered to Behrens.&nbsp; Additional information, including IP addresses, a phone number, and a secondary email address related to the account were also provided to NCMEC.Investigators traced several IP addresses to the internet provider and subsequently to the subscriber on the account.&nbsp; Additional information determined that the subscriber using the IP addresses on the dates in question was associated with the Behrens’s residence in Lincoln.&nbsp;A search warrant was served on Behrens’s residence and his cellular phone was seized.&nbsp; Forensic examination revealed 63 images and 3 videos of child pornography on the phone.&nbsp; A number of these images and videos were the same as those uploaded to the email account.This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.justice.gov/psc" target="_blank">www.justice.gov/psc</a>.This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol.

Lincoln man sentenced to 5 years on child porn charges

Eagle Radio's Derek Beck visits twice a month with the Nebraska Cattleman's Brenda Masek about happenings within the Cattleman organization and upcoming meetings and events.

&nbsp; This Podcast is sponsored by Western Nebraska Bank, Member FDIC with locations in North Platte, Curtis, Paxton and in Thedford. Visit them online at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.westernnebraskabank.com/">https://www.westernnebraskabank.com</a>

Eagle Radio's Derek Beck visits twice a month with the Nebraska Cattleman's Brenda Masek about happenings within the Cattleman organization and upcoming meetings and events.<div><iframe title="Nebraska Cattlemen Report (February 2022)" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=85peq-11a3840-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=1&fonts=Times%20New%20Roman&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&btn-skin=ff6d00"></iframe></div>&nbsp; This Podcast is sponsored by Western Nebraska Bank, Member FDIC with locations in North Platte, Curtis, Paxton and in Thedford. Visit them online at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.westernnebraskabank.com/">https://www.westernnebraskabank.com</a><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634840161022.png" alt="Nebraska Cattleman Report" />
 <figcaption>Nebraska Cattleman Report</figcaption>
 </figure>

Nebraska Cattlemen Report (February)

By AARON SANDERFORD <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/02/09/bacon-draws-gop-challenger-who-moonlights-as-darth-vader/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

OMAHA
 — U.S. House candidate Jim Schultze wants to “Force choke” the national
 debt, and the Omaha Republican says he can do it without the Darth 
Vader suit he wears to Star Wars-themed events and appearances for kids.

The
 40-year information technology professional said he saw former 
President Donald Trump’s statements seeking a GOP primary challenger in 
the Omaha-based 2nd Congressional District against U.S. Rep. Don Bacon, 
R-Neb.

“Anyone
 want to run for Congress against Don Bacon in Nebraska?” Trump wrote in
 a press release last month from his political committee, Save America 
PAC.&nbsp;

“It
 reaffirmed what I was already thinking,” Schultze said of facing Bacon.
 “I was honestly waiting for someone else to take the lead that I could 
get behind. But that didn’t happen.”

Schultze
 said Bacon failed him for the last time by voting for the $1.2 trillion
 infrastructure bill President Joe Biden sought. Bacon was one of 13 
House GOP members to support the bill.

“I
 was tired of sitting by and watching our country go downhill, further 
and further into debt,” Schultze said. “I thought, ‘Something needs to 
be done about it.’ "

Bacon
 has defended his infrastructure vote, saying it will bring Nebraska 
$2.8 billion to rebuild roads and bridges, expand rural broadband, clean
 up local drinking water and more.&nbsp;

Bacon’s
 campaign said Wednesday the congressman remains focused on serving 
constituents and the district. Nebraska’s 2nd District is the state’s 
most competitive. It covers all of Douglas County, including Omaha, and 
western Sarpy County.&nbsp;

Said
 Bacon: “Our district clearly supports a conservative representative who
 seeks solutions ensuring our country remains the most competitive and 
strongest in the world.”

Schultze
 blamed Republicans and Democrats for the growing $27 trillion national 
debt. He said he would pursue a balanced budget without cutting national
 defense spending.&nbsp;

He
 said he’d consider cutting whole federal departments and sending those 
functions back to the states and would consider changes to Social 
Security, Medicare and Medicaid.

“Nobody
 wants to make the hard choices, and there are hard choices that we have
 to make,” Schultze said. “Our federal debt is at an unsustainable 
level.”

Bacon co-sponsored a House resolution in 2017 calling for a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution.&nbsp;

Schultze,
 61, said he does not believe Trump lost the 2020 election. Asked why, 
he cited reports that courts, states, election experts and Congress have
 rejected as false. Bacon has acknowledged that Biden won.&nbsp;

Post-election
 data analysis by the Omaha World-Herald found a significant number of 
2nd District Republicans voted for Bacon and Biden in 2020.

Schultze
 said he hopes to seek Trump’s endorsement. But he said that he hadn’t 
been recruited, hadn’t talked to anyone in Trump’s orbit and didn’t know
 how to reach them.&nbsp;

The
 Douglas County Republican Party, in a brief statement, described Bacon 
as a “solid conservative who enjoys strong support in our community.”

Outside
 politics, Schultze described himself as an amateur historian who likes 
to read about World War II and the Cold War. He gives tours on Saturdays
 at the Ashland-area Strategic Air Command &amp; Aerospace Museum.

During
 his free time, Schultze dresses up as Darth in an authentic costume 
that covers his 6-foot-8 frame. He’s part of the 501st Legion, a global 
group of Star Wars fans with elaborate costumes.

“We
 make appearances for various fundraisers, disabled children with 
special needs,” he said. “It brings a lot of joy to me to bring a smile 
to a kid’s face for a few minutes.”

Schultze
 said he hopes to formally announce his campaign over the next two 
weeks. Bacon heads into the primary with more than $1 million in 
campaign cash on hand.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644528852184.png" alt="This image, from Nebraska House candidate Jim Schultze’s Facebook page, shows him filing to run for office at the Nebraska Secretary of State’s Office." />
 <figcaption>This image, from Nebraska House candidate Jim Schultze’s Facebook page, shows him filing to run for office at the Nebraska Secretary of State’s Office.</figcaption>
 </figure>By AARON SANDERFORD <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/02/09/bacon-draws-gop-challenger-who-moonlights-as-darth-vader/">Nebraska Examiner</a>OMAHA
 — U.S. House candidate Jim Schultze wants to “Force choke” the national
 debt, and the Omaha Republican says he can do it without the Darth 
Vader suit he wears to Star Wars-themed events and appearances for kids.The
 40-year information technology professional said he saw former 
President Donald Trump’s statements seeking a GOP primary challenger in 
the Omaha-based 2nd Congressional District against U.S. Rep. Don Bacon, 
R-Neb.“Anyone
 want to run for Congress against Don Bacon in Nebraska?” Trump wrote in
 a press release last month from his political committee, Save America 
PAC.&nbsp;“It
 reaffirmed what I was already thinking,” Schultze said of facing Bacon.
 “I was honestly waiting for someone else to take the lead that I could 
get behind. But that didn’t happen.”Schultze
 said Bacon failed him for the last time by voting for the $1.2 trillion
 infrastructure bill President Joe Biden sought. Bacon was one of 13 
House GOP members to support the bill.“I
 was tired of sitting by and watching our country go downhill, further 
and further into debt,” Schultze said. “I thought, ‘Something needs to 
be done about it.’ "Bacon
 has defended his infrastructure vote, saying it will bring Nebraska 
$2.8 billion to rebuild roads and bridges, expand rural broadband, clean
 up local drinking water and more.&nbsp;Bacon’s
 campaign said Wednesday the congressman remains focused on serving 
constituents and the district. Nebraska’s 2nd District is the state’s 
most competitive. It covers all of Douglas County, including Omaha, and 
western Sarpy County.&nbsp;Said
 Bacon: “Our district clearly supports a conservative representative who
 seeks solutions ensuring our country remains the most competitive and 
strongest in the world.”Schultze
 blamed Republicans and Democrats for the growing $27 trillion national 
debt. He said he would pursue a balanced budget without cutting national
 defense spending.&nbsp;He
 said he’d consider cutting whole federal departments and sending those 
functions back to the states and would consider changes to Social 
Security, Medicare and Medicaid.“Nobody
 wants to make the hard choices, and there are hard choices that we have
 to make,” Schultze said. “Our federal debt is at an unsustainable 
level.”Bacon co-sponsored a House resolution in 2017 calling for a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution.&nbsp;Schultze,
 61, said he does not believe Trump lost the 2020 election. Asked why, 
he cited reports that courts, states, election experts and Congress have
 rejected as false. Bacon has acknowledged that Biden won.&nbsp;Post-election
 data analysis by the Omaha World-Herald found a significant number of 
2nd District Republicans voted for Bacon and Biden in 2020.Schultze
 said he hopes to seek Trump’s endorsement. But he said that he hadn’t 
been recruited, hadn’t talked to anyone in Trump’s orbit and didn’t know
 how to reach them.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644528935199.jpeg" alt="This image, from Nebraska House candidate Jim Schultze’s personal Facebook page, shows him dressed as Darth Vader. He does appearances for kids and community events." />
 <figcaption>This image, from Nebraska House candidate Jim Schultze’s personal Facebook page, shows him dressed as Darth Vader. He does appearances for kids and community events.</figcaption>
 </figure>The
 Douglas County Republican Party, in a brief statement, described Bacon 
as a “solid conservative who enjoys strong support in our community.”Outside
 politics, Schultze described himself as an amateur historian who likes 
to read about World War II and the Cold War. He gives tours on Saturdays
 at the Ashland-area Strategic Air Command &amp; Aerospace Museum.During
 his free time, Schultze dresses up as Darth in an authentic costume 
that covers his 6-foot-8 frame. He’s part of the 501st Legion, a global 
group of Star Wars fans with elaborate costumes.“We
 make appearances for various fundraisers, disabled children with 
special needs,” he said. “It brings a lot of joy to me to bring a smile 
to a kid’s face for a few minutes.”Schultze
 said he hopes to formally announce his campaign over the next two 
weeks. Bacon heads into the primary with more than $1 million in 
campaign cash on hand.

Neb. rep draws GOP challenger who moonlights as Darth Vader

By SUZANNE PEREZ <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/2022-02-09/a-kansas-principal-shared-a-video-about-speaking-up-against-racism-he-was-ordered-to-apologize">Kansas News Service</a>

WICHITA&nbsp;— A Kansas high school principal was forced to apologize for showing a video about white privilege during an employee meeting.

Tim
 Hamblin, principal at Derby High School, shared a four-minute video 
during a staff in-service day last month that featured Black author Joy 
DeGruy. In it, the author relates a story about <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wf9QBnPK6Yg" target="_blank">being treated differently at a store</a> because of her race, and how a lighter-skinned family member spoke up for her.

“She
 used her white privilege to educate and make right a situation that was
 wrong,” DeGruy says in the 2011 video. “That’s what you can do every 
single day.”

Members of the Derby High girls basketball team were 
shown the same video in response to race-based comments made toward some
 team members on social media late last year.

Hamblin shared the 
video with staff members in January so they would be aware of what the 
students had seen, he explained in the email.

A teacher who 
attended the meeting told a Derby school board member the video was 
offensive and created a hostile work environment. The board member then 
directed Hamblin to apologize for showing it.

“The point was 
nothing more than to share what some of our kids were dealing with and 
one thing that they would see to try and help them get through it,” 
Hamblin said in the email.

“I apologize to anyone that felt the 
video or its content which reference white privilege made them feel 
uncomfortable, awkward, harassed, or that it created a hostile work 
environment.”

Hamblin declined to comment for this story.

Superintendent
 Heather Bohaty “is aware of the email you’re referencing and didn’t 
have further details or comments to share,” said district spokeswoman 
Katie Carlson in an email.

“The (school) Board as a whole had made
 no directive regarding specific videos or teaching materials of this 
type,” Carlson said.

School board president Michael Blankenship would not say which board member contacted Hamblin.

“This
 email was intended between him and his staff,” Blankenship said in an 
email to KMUW. “We respect the opinions and views of all our staff and 
work to maintain an environment where we support all students and 
staff.”

The episode illustrates an <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/education/2021-12-13/conservatives-see-critical-race-theory-in-anti-racist-schooling-and-they-want-it-gone-from-kansas" target="_blank">ongoing debate over lessons about racism</a>
 and discrimination in Kansas schools. Critics say schools’ efforts to 
promote diversity can breed white guilt and accelerate racial conflict.

During
 a recent discussion about critical race theory in the Kansas 
Legislature, Rep. Patrick Penn, a Republican from Wichita, decried some 
school districts’ efforts to promote anti-racism.

“They reject 
wholeheartedly the theory or the notion of colorblindness. … They look 
at everything through a racial lens,” Penn said.

Tamara Seyler-James, a parent in the Blue Valley school district, also objected to themes of implicit bias or white privilege.

Public
 schools “drive the conversation exclusively toward the topic of … 
whites behaving badly, as opposed to balancing the equation and stating 
that everybody, no matter their skin color, is human, and is flawed and 
could commit the sin of bias and racism,” Seyler-James said. “I find 
that problematic.”

A conservative majority was elected to the Derby school board in November.

Blankenship, the board president, was one of two parents to <a href="https://www.kansas.com/news/local/education/article251170139.html" target="_blank">sue the Derby district</a> over its mask requirement. As one of its first orders of business last month, the Derby board <a href="http://www.derbyinformer.com/news/derby_news/derby-school-board-strips-covid-mask-mandate/article_e010225e-72ec-11ec-ab1f-a34405a0a980.html" target="_blank">eliminated any mask mandates</a>.

In
 a post on his campaign Facebook page in October, Blankenship listed 
“items and issues that have come to my attention by members of our 
community, parents and teachers.”

The list includes “CRT in school
 curriculum / changing or skewing historical facts about the foundation 
of our country” and “parents being limited or prevented in speaking out 
to school board members or meetings.”

In
 the video shared in Derby, DeGruy, who is Black, talks about being in a
 grocery store with her biracial sister-in-law, who looks “whiter than 
most white folks.”

The sister-in-law writes a check for her 
groceries without incident. Immediately after that, DeGruy writes a 
check and is asked for two forms of identification. Then the cashier 
“pulls out the ‘bad check’ book” and searches it for DeGruy’s license.

“I’m
 standing there trying to decide what to do, and it’s really deeply 
humiliating,” DeGruy says in the video. “My sister-in-law walks back 
over, and she steps in, and she says, ‘Excuse me, why are you doing 
this?’”

The sister-in-law points out inconsistencies to the cashier and then to the store manager.

“So
 you see, she used her white privilege,” DeGruy says. “And even though 
Kathleen is half black and half white, she recognizes what that means, 
and she made the statement. She pointed out the injustice and she, as a 
result of that one act, influenced everyone in that space.”

It’s 
unclear which Derby High staff member complained to school board members
 about the video. The board member told Hamblin the employee “feared 
retaliation for sharing their concerns,” he said in the email.

“I 
can guarantee there is not a single member(s) of this staff that can 
produce one piece of evidence I have ever retaliated against anyone as 
the Principal of Derby High School,” he added.

A letter supporting
 Hamblin circulated through Derby High School this week, as some 
teachers gathered signatures in hopes of sharing the letter with school 
board members.

“Mr. Hamblin at no time suggested that we were bad people nor did he call anyone out or try to shame anyone,” the letter says.

“On
 the contrary, he provided an outlet to discuss an issue that is at the 
forefront of our society right now. Derby has a checkered history 
handling race issues. … Mr. Hamblin has always done his best to help us 
recognize that there is a world outside our bubble of white privilege. 
It is time members of this board do the same.”

Suzanne Perez reports on education for KMUW in Wichita and the Kansas News Service. You can follow her on Twitter @SuzPerezICT.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644504632159.png" alt="In a 2011 video, author Joy DeGruy relates a story about being treated differently at a store because of her race, and how a lighter-skinned family member spoke up for her. WorldTrustTV / YouTube" />
 <figcaption>In a 2011 video, author Joy DeGruy relates a story about being treated differently at a store because of her race, and how a lighter-skinned family member spoke up for her. WorldTrustTV / YouTube</figcaption>
 </figure>By SUZANNE PEREZ <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/2022-02-09/a-kansas-principal-shared-a-video-about-speaking-up-against-racism-he-was-ordered-to-apologize">Kansas News Service</a>WICHITA&nbsp;— A Kansas high school principal was forced to apologize for showing a video about white privilege during an employee meeting.Tim
 Hamblin, principal at Derby High School, shared a four-minute video 
during a staff in-service day last month that featured Black author Joy 
DeGruy. In it, the author relates a story about <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wf9QBnPK6Yg" target="_blank">being treated differently at a store</a> because of her race, and how a lighter-skinned family member spoke up for her.“She
 used her white privilege to educate and make right a situation that was
 wrong,” DeGruy says in the 2011 video. “That’s what you can do every 
single day.”Members of the Derby High girls basketball team were 
shown the same video in response to race-based comments made toward some
 team members on social media late last year.Hamblin shared the 
video with staff members in January so they would be aware of what the 
students had seen, he explained in the email.A teacher who 
attended the meeting told a Derby school board member the video was 
offensive and created a hostile work environment. The board member then 
directed Hamblin to apologize for showing it.“The point was 
nothing more than to share what some of our kids were dealing with and 
one thing that they would see to try and help them get through it,” 
Hamblin said in the email.“I apologize to anyone that felt the 
video or its content which reference white privilege made them feel 
uncomfortable, awkward, harassed, or that it created a hostile work 
environment.”Hamblin declined to comment for this story.Superintendent
 Heather Bohaty “is aware of the email you’re referencing and didn’t 
have further details or comments to share,” said district spokeswoman 
Katie Carlson in an email.“The (school) Board as a whole had made
 no directive regarding specific videos or teaching materials of this 
type,” Carlson said.School board president Michael Blankenship would not say which board member contacted Hamblin.“This
 email was intended between him and his staff,” Blankenship said in an 
email to KMUW. “We respect the opinions and views of all our staff and 
work to maintain an environment where we support all students and 
staff.”<h2>A larger debate</h2>The episode illustrates an <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/education/2021-12-13/conservatives-see-critical-race-theory-in-anti-racist-schooling-and-they-want-it-gone-from-kansas" target="_blank">ongoing debate over lessons about racism</a>
 and discrimination in Kansas schools. Critics say schools’ efforts to 
promote diversity can breed white guilt and accelerate racial conflict.During
 a recent discussion about critical race theory in the Kansas 
Legislature, Rep. Patrick Penn, a Republican from Wichita, decried some 
school districts’ efforts to promote anti-racism.“They reject 
wholeheartedly the theory or the notion of colorblindness. … They look 
at everything through a racial lens,” Penn said.Tamara Seyler-James, a parent in the Blue Valley school district, also objected to themes of implicit bias or white privilege.Public
 schools “drive the conversation exclusively toward the topic of … 
whites behaving badly, as opposed to balancing the equation and stating 
that everybody, no matter their skin color, is human, and is flawed and 
could commit the sin of bias and racism,” Seyler-James said. “I find 
that problematic.”A conservative majority was elected to the Derby school board in November.Blankenship, the board president, was one of two parents to <a href="https://www.kansas.com/news/local/education/article251170139.html" target="_blank">sue the Derby district</a> over its mask requirement. As one of its first orders of business last month, the Derby board <a href="http://www.derbyinformer.com/news/derby_news/derby-school-board-strips-covid-mask-mandate/article_e010225e-72ec-11ec-ab1f-a34405a0a980.html" target="_blank">eliminated any mask mandates</a>.In
 a post on his campaign Facebook page in October, Blankenship listed 
“items and issues that have come to my attention by members of our 
community, parents and teachers.”The list includes “CRT in school
 curriculum / changing or skewing historical facts about the foundation 
of our country” and “parents being limited or prevented in speaking out 
to school board members or meetings.”<h2>Pointing out injustice</h2>In
 the video shared in Derby, DeGruy, who is Black, talks about being in a
 grocery store with her biracial sister-in-law, who looks “whiter than 
most white folks.”The sister-in-law writes a check for her 
groceries without incident. Immediately after that, DeGruy writes a 
check and is asked for two forms of identification. Then the cashier 
“pulls out the ‘bad check’ book” and searches it for DeGruy’s license.“I’m
 standing there trying to decide what to do, and it’s really deeply 
humiliating,” DeGruy says in the video. “My sister-in-law walks back 
over, and she steps in, and she says, ‘Excuse me, why are you doing 
this?’”The sister-in-law points out inconsistencies to the cashier and then to the store manager.“So
 you see, she used her white privilege,” DeGruy says. “And even though 
Kathleen is half black and half white, she recognizes what that means, 
and she made the statement. She pointed out the injustice and she, as a 
result of that one act, influenced everyone in that space.”It’s 
unclear which Derby High staff member complained to school board members
 about the video. The board member told Hamblin the employee “feared 
retaliation for sharing their concerns,” he said in the email.“I 
can guarantee there is not a single member(s) of this staff that can 
produce one piece of evidence I have ever retaliated against anyone as 
the Principal of Derby High School,” he added.A letter supporting
 Hamblin circulated through Derby High School this week, as some 
teachers gathered signatures in hopes of sharing the letter with school 
board members.“Mr. Hamblin at no time suggested that we were bad people nor did he call anyone out or try to shame anyone,” the letter says.“On
 the contrary, he provided an outlet to discuss an issue that is at the 
forefront of our society right now. Derby has a checkered history 
handling race issues. … Mr. Hamblin has always done his best to help us 
recognize that there is a world outside our bubble of white privilege. 
It is time members of this board do the same.”Suzanne Perez reports on education for KMUW in Wichita and the Kansas News Service. You can follow her on Twitter @SuzPerezICT.

Kan. principal ordered to apologize for showing video on racism

AURORA, Colo. (AP) — Colorado authorities say a man wanted for shooting and killing a woman last week in a suburban Denver church and wounding two churchgoers has died after he was shot by police officers. 

Suspect Jose De Jesus Montoya Villa was shot Wednesday in the suburb of Aurora when police stopped a vehicle he was suspected of stealing in the course of committing several crimes. 

Authorities say Montoya Villa was armed and confronted the officers. Relatives of the woman killed in the church say she and the suspect had been in a relationship that ended. 

The two men injured inside the church are expected to survive.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644519049986.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>AURORA, Colo. (AP) — Colorado authorities say a man wanted for shooting and killing a woman last week in a suburban Denver church and wounding two churchgoers has died after he was shot by police officers. Suspect Jose De Jesus Montoya Villa was shot Wednesday in the suburb of Aurora when police stopped a vehicle he was suspected of stealing in the course of committing several crimes. Authorities say Montoya Villa was armed and confronted the officers. Relatives of the woman killed in the church say she and the suspect had been in a relationship that ended. The two men injured inside the church are expected to survive.

Suspect in church killing dead after Colorado cops shoot him

By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/stretch-of-highway-near-greeley-is-named-after-former-husker-punter-sam-foltz/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

A small Nebraska town has won approval to memorialize a local football hero.

A portion of Nebraska Highway 56 near Greeley has now been officially designated as the “Sam Foltz Memorial Highway.”

Foltz,
 whose family is from the Greeley area, was a star punter for the 
Huskers until being tragically killed in a vehicle accident in Wisconsin
 in July 2016.

Foltz
 attended Grand Island High School and joined the University of Nebraska
 football team as a walk-on, meaning he wasn’t given a scholarship. But 
he eventually earned a scholarship and blossomed into the Big 10 punter 
of the year in 2015. Foltz was seen as a prime prospect for the NFL.

Gov. Pete Ricketts signed a resolution last week naming a 12.9-mile segment of Highway 56 after Foltz. Five generations of the Foltz family have farmed along that stretch of highway, including Sam Foltz’s parents, Gerald and Jill Foltz.

The
 Greeley Citizen reported that the naming project was launched by a 
local committee of citizens led by Mary Ann McQuillan of Greeley. A 
fund-raising campaign has been launched through the First National Bank in Greeley to defray costs of signage along the highway.

The State Highway Commission, which governs the naming of highways, approved the request in December.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644528135398.png" alt="Sam Foltz was a star punter with the Nebraska Cornhuskers until tragically killed in an accident. (Scott Bruhn/University of Nebraska Communications)" />
 <figcaption>Sam Foltz was a star punter with the Nebraska Cornhuskers until tragically killed in an accident. (Scott Bruhn/University of Nebraska Communications)</figcaption>
 </figure>By PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/stretch-of-highway-near-greeley-is-named-after-former-husker-punter-sam-foltz/">Nebraska Examiner</a>A small Nebraska town has won approval to memorialize a local football hero.A portion of Nebraska Highway 56 near Greeley has now been officially designated as the “Sam Foltz Memorial Highway.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644528231921.jpeg" alt="Former Nebraska punter Sam Foltz (Scott Bruhn/University of Nebraska Communications)" />
 <figcaption>Former Nebraska punter Sam Foltz (Scott Bruhn/University of Nebraska Communications)</figcaption>
 </figure>Foltz,
 whose family is from the Greeley area, was a star punter for the 
Huskers until being tragically killed in a vehicle accident in Wisconsin
 in July 2016.Foltz
 attended Grand Island High School and joined the University of Nebraska
 football team as a walk-on, meaning he wasn’t given a scholarship. But 
he eventually earned a scholarship and blossomed into the Big 10 punter 
of the year in 2015. Foltz was seen as a prime prospect for the NFL.Gov. Pete Ricketts signed a resolution last week naming a 12.9-mile segment of Highway 56 after Foltz. Five generations of the Foltz family have farmed along that stretch of highway, including Sam Foltz’s parents, Gerald and Jill Foltz.The
 Greeley Citizen reported that the naming project was launched by a 
local committee of citizens led by Mary Ann McQuillan of Greeley. A 
fund-raising campaign has been launched through the First National Bank in Greeley to defray costs of signage along the highway.The State Highway Commission, which governs the naming of highways, approved the request in December.

Stretch of Neb. highway named after former Husker punter Foltz

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) — Investigators say two drivers have died in a head-on crash just northeast of Grand Island. 

The Omaha World-Herald reports that the crash happened around 5:30 a.m. Wednesday on U.S. Highway 30. 

The Merrick County Sheriff’s Office says an eastbound vehicle driven by 29-year-old &nbsp;Zachery Schultz, of Chapman, crossed the center line and collided with a westbound car driven by 50-year-old Scott Ellis, of Marquette. Both men were killed. 

Investigators say neither man was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/6/1559617385052.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) — Investigators say two drivers have died in a head-on crash just northeast of Grand Island. The Omaha World-Herald reports that the crash happened around 5:30 a.m. Wednesday on U.S. Highway 30. The Merrick County Sheriff’s Office says an eastbound vehicle driven by 29-year-old &nbsp;Zachery Schultz, of Chapman, crossed the center line and collided with a westbound car driven by 50-year-old Scott Ellis, of Marquette. Both men were killed. Investigators say neither man was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.

Officials say 2 killed in head-on crash near Grand Island

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) — Authorities have identified a Grand Island man who died when he fell into a baler at work. 

The Hall County Sheriff's Office says 20-year-old Gavin Schwartz died in the agriculture accident. 

First responders were called Monday afternoon to Mid-Nebraska Disposal about three miles west of Grand Island, and arriving deputies found Schwartz seriously injured. 

Investigators say he had fallen into a baler machine and had become stuck. He died later at a Grand Island hospital. 

The sheriff’s office said the investigation is ongoing, but foul play is not suspected.

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) — Authorities have identified a Grand Island man who died when he fell into a baler at work. The Hall County Sheriff's Office says 20-year-old Gavin Schwartz died in the agriculture accident. First responders were called Monday afternoon to Mid-Nebraska Disposal about three miles west of Grand Island, and arriving deputies found Schwartz seriously injured. Investigators say he had fallen into a baler machine and had become stuck. He died later at a Grand Island hospital. The sheriff’s office said the investigation is ongoing, but foul play is not suspected.

Grand Island man killed after falling into baler identified

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for alleged child sex crimes.

Just after 11p.m. April 10, 2021, police were dispatched to the 3600 block of E Harry for a sexual assault report, according to Officer Trevor Macy. 

&nbsp;A 15-year-old reported being sexually assaulted. After police obtained further evidence, police identified 44-year-old Sean Bird as a suspect. 

Just after 6a.m. Tuesday police contacted Bird in the 6100 block of S. Kansas in Wichita and took him into custody. He was transported to the Sedgwick County Jail and booked on three counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644440453812.png" alt="Bird-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Bird-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for alleged child sex crimes.Just after 11p.m. April 10, 2021, police were dispatched to the 3600 block of E Harry for a sexual assault report, according to Officer Trevor Macy. &nbsp;A 15-year-old reported being sexually assaulted. After police obtained further evidence, police identified 44-year-old Sean Bird as a suspect. Just after 6a.m. Tuesday police contacted Bird in the 6100 block of S. Kansas in Wichita and took him into custody. He was transported to the Sedgwick County Jail and booked on three counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child.

Police: Kan. man accused in April sex assault of 15-year-old

YORK, Neb. (AP) — Authorities in southeastern Nebraska say a bystander who was killed along with the suspect and a police dog in the fiery crash of a stolen sheriff's vehicle was a popular teacher and coach from Hampton. 

Authorities say the crash happened Tuesday night when 43-year old Joseph Stoltenberg stole a sheriff's vehicle with the police dog, named Nitro, still inside and led authorities on a pursuit in rural York County. 

Authorities say Stoltenberg sped toward a moving train and crashed into the back of 31-year-old Kyle Ediger's vehicle that was stopped for the train. 

The crash killed Ediger, Stoltenberg and the dog. 

Ediger was a math teacher and boys basketball coach for Hampton Public Schools.

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644512539400.png" alt="" />
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 </figure>YORK, Neb. (AP) — Authorities in southeastern Nebraska say a bystander who was killed along with the suspect and a police dog in the fiery crash of a stolen sheriff's vehicle was a popular teacher and coach from Hampton. Authorities say the crash happened Tuesday night when 43-year old Joseph Stoltenberg stole a sheriff's vehicle with the police dog, named Nitro, still inside and led authorities on a pursuit in rural York County. Authorities say Stoltenberg sped toward a moving train and crashed into the back of 31-year-old Kyle Ediger's vehicle that was stopped for the train. The crash killed Ediger, Stoltenberg and the dog. Ediger was a math teacher and boys basketball coach for Hampton Public Schools.

2 people, police dog killed in stolen K-9 vehicle crash ID'd

Three high school students from across Nebraska have been awarded $500 scholarships for participating in EducationQuest’s fall 2021 Virtual College Fairs. Recipients are listed below alphabetically by hometown. &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; Elkhorn: Madelyn Schuchardt, a junior at Elkhorn South High School &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; Hartington: Jack Stevens, a junior at Cedar Catholic High School &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; Sterling: Ella Wingert, a senior at Sterling High School Students will have another opportunity to win one of three $500 scholarships during EducationQuest’s spring Virtual College Fair, which is set for Tuesday, March 1. Registration for the event opens Tuesday, Feb. 22 at eqf.org/collegefair. To be eligible for the scholarship, students must meet the following requirements: &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; U.S. citizen or legal resident &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; Nebraska resident &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; Attend a Nebraska high school and be in grades 9-12 &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; Visit at least 5 college booths at an EducationQuest Virtual College Fair *Official eligibility rules are available here&lt;<a href="https://www.educationquest.org/11th-12th-grade-students/virtual-college-fair-scholarship/official-rules-virtual-college-fair-scholarship/" target="_blank">https://www.educationquest.org/11th-12th-grade-students/virtual-college-fair-scholarship/official-rules-virtual-college-fair-scholarship/</a>&gt;.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644503264407.png" alt="" />
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 </figure>News Release EducationQuestThree high school students from across Nebraska have been awarded $500 scholarships for participating in EducationQuest’s fall 2021 Virtual College Fairs. Recipients are listed below alphabetically by hometown. &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; Elkhorn: Madelyn Schuchardt, a junior at Elkhorn South High School &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; Hartington: Jack Stevens, a junior at Cedar Catholic High School &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; Sterling: Ella Wingert, a senior at Sterling High School Students will have another opportunity to win one of three $500 scholarships during EducationQuest’s spring Virtual College Fair, which is set for Tuesday, March 1. Registration for the event opens Tuesday, Feb. 22 at eqf.org/collegefair. To be eligible for the scholarship, students must meet the following requirements: &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; U.S. citizen or legal resident &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; Nebraska resident &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; Attend a Nebraska high school and be in grades 9-12 &nbsp; *&nbsp;&nbsp; Visit at least 5 college booths at an EducationQuest Virtual College Fair *Official eligibility rules are available here&lt;<a href="https://www.educationquest.org/11th-12th-grade-students/virtual-college-fair-scholarship/official-rules-virtual-college-fair-scholarship/" target="_blank">https://www.educationquest.org/11th-12th-grade-students/virtual-college-fair-scholarship/official-rules-virtual-college-fair-scholarship/</a>&gt;.&nbsp;&nbsp;

EducationQuest awards scholarships to 3 Nebraska students

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

LINCOLN — A troubled ethanol plant in Mead, Nebraska, had state approval to use seed corn treated with harmful pesticides years before state regulators raised concerns.

Recently discovered state documents indicate that Nebraska environmental regulators approved the use of seed corn by the troubled AltEn ethanol plant back on July 26, 2012.

The state’s lawsuit against AltEn said that state regulators were not aware that chemically coated seed corn was in use at the plant until 2015 and that they weren’t aware the coatings were hazardous until 2018.

The revelation, including that state regulators didn’t regard the use of treated seed corn as important enough to merit a public hearing because it was a “minor” change, prompted increased calls Tuesday for a special investigation by the Nebraska Legislature of the facility and its impact on public health and environment.

“We need to get to the bottom of this,” said Al Davis, a former state senator and a representative of the Sierra Club of Nebraska.

State Sen. Carol Blood of Bellevue, who has introduced a proposal to conduct the legislative investigation, said that calling a switch to using pesticide-coated seed corn a “minor” change seemed to indicate a lack of understanding and concern by the state.

A nearby resident of the AltEn plant, Jody Weible, said the revelation was one more frustration about AltEn, which still holds 80,000 tons of contaminated waste corn on its site south of Mead.&nbsp;

“I’m surprised they got permission and didn’t let us know,” said Weible, who formerly served on the planning board that initially approved the AltEn facility.&nbsp;

A spokeswoman for the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office said Tuesday that there was nothing inaccurate about the state’s lawsuit against AltEn and that use of chemically treated seed corn for ethanol had been permitted, as long as it wasn’t fed to livestock after being used to produce alcohol.

Suzanne Gage said that in 2012, AltEn had planned, as part of an amendment to its composting permit, to&nbsp;test for pesticide levels in the corn after it went through the distilling process and provide an application rate for the byproducts.

But that never happened, Gage said. She pointed to a Feb. 14, 2013, letter from AltEn stating that “Grain (mainly corn) will continue to be the primary raw material” used to produce ethanol, which traditionally uses field corn.

Gage said the Department of Environment and Energy discovered in 2015, after operations resumed at AltEn, that the operation had changed its mind and had begun to use treated seed rather than field corn to produce ethanol.&nbsp;

The state’s lawsuit, she said, deals only “with events after AltEn began using treated seed and generated byproducts containing measurable residues of pesticides.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644502948434.png" alt="The AltEn sign had been taken down by January 2022, but the cleanup at the plant, which used contaminated seed corn to make corn-based ethanol, continues. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>The AltEn sign had been taken down by January 2022, but the cleanup at the plant, which used contaminated seed corn to make corn-based ethanol, continues. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>By Paul Hammel <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/02/08/state-approved-use-of-pesticide-coated-seed-corn-for-ethanol-plant-a-decade-ago/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — A troubled ethanol plant in Mead, Nebraska, had state approval to use seed corn treated with harmful pesticides years before state regulators raised concerns.Recently discovered state documents indicate that Nebraska environmental regulators approved the use of seed corn by the troubled AltEn ethanol plant back on July 26, 2012.The state’s lawsuit against AltEn said that state regulators were not aware that chemically coated seed corn was in use at the plant until 2015 and that they weren’t aware the coatings were hazardous until 2018.The revelation, including that state regulators didn’t regard the use of treated seed corn as important enough to merit a public hearing because it was a “minor” change, prompted increased calls Tuesday for a special investigation by the Nebraska Legislature of the facility and its impact on public health and environment.<h2>One more frustration for neighbors</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/dist03-200x300.jpg" alt="State Sen. Carol Blood (Courtesy of Unicameral Information Service)" />
 <figcaption>State Sen. Carol Blood (Courtesy of Unicameral Information Service)</figcaption>
 </figure>“We need to get to the bottom of this,” said Al Davis, a former state senator and a representative of the Sierra Club of Nebraska.State Sen. Carol Blood of Bellevue, who has introduced a proposal to conduct the legislative investigation, said that calling a switch to using pesticide-coated seed corn a “minor” change seemed to indicate a lack of understanding and concern by the state.A nearby resident of the AltEn plant, Jody Weible, said the revelation was one more frustration about AltEn, which still holds 80,000 tons of contaminated waste corn on its site south of Mead.&nbsp;“I’m surprised they got permission and didn’t let us know,” said Weible, who formerly served on the planning board that initially approved the AltEn facility.&nbsp;A spokeswoman for the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office said Tuesday that there was nothing inaccurate about the state’s lawsuit against AltEn and that use of chemically treated seed corn for ethanol had been permitted, as long as it wasn’t fed to livestock after being used to produce alcohol.<h2>Company didn’t follow through</h2>Suzanne Gage said that in 2012, AltEn had planned, as part of an amendment to its composting permit, to&nbsp;test for pesticide levels in the corn after it went through the distilling process and provide an application rate for the byproducts.But that never happened, Gage said. She pointed to a Feb. 14, 2013, letter from AltEn stating that “Grain (mainly corn) will continue to be the primary raw material” used to produce ethanol, which traditionally uses field corn.Gage said the Department of Environment and Energy discovered in 2015, after operations resumed at AltEn, that the operation had changed its mind and had begun to use treated seed rather than field corn to produce ethanol.&nbsp;The state’s lawsuit, she said, deals only “with events after AltEn began using treated seed and generated byproducts containing measurable residues of pesticides.”<h2>Special investigation sought</h2>That’s of little solace to those concerned about what they perceive as a slow cleanup process at AltEn, which was shut down by the state a year ago after years of complaints about foul odor and concerns about health impacts and contamination of nearby fields, where spent ethanol grains had been deposited as soil conditioners for a while.&nbsp;Among the chemicals of concern that were used on the seed corn were neonicotinoids, a class of insecticides chemically related to nicotine that have been banned in Europe and have been linked to deaths of bees. Alarm bells have been raised about declines in colonies of bees on University of Nebraska property near the AltEn plant.Blood, who is a Democratic candidate for governor, and Weible are part of a group of concerned citizens who have been meeting since last spring in hopes of getting the large piles of contaminated waste corn, leftover from the ethanol process, hauled away to landfills or incinerators.The concerned citizens group wasn’t aware of the 2012 approval by the state until last week and was surprised when the documents were discovered. They were among the hundreds of public records about AltEn available on the NDEE’s website.Alten’s response to the state’s lawsuit, filed in April, stated that the company had applied to modify its composting permit to utilize pesticide-treated seed corn in 2012 and that the state had approved the request.<h2>Lawsuit alleges multiple violations</h2>The company’s response to the state’s lawsuit states, several times, that “AltEn denies any inference that it violated applicable law.”The state’s lawsuit against AltEn, filed March 1,&nbsp;alleged multiple environmental violations&nbsp;by the company, including failure to dispose of the leftover grain, improper operation of wastewater lagoons and failure to meet multiple deadlines to comply with state environmental orders.Late in the 2021 legislative session, Blood proposed Legislative Resolution 159, which would create a nine-member&nbsp;AltEn LLC Ethanol Plant Special Investigative and Oversight Committee. The committee was to investigate and report by December whether AltEn had harmed public health and groundwater and estimate the costs of disposing of the leftover waste grain and remediation of nearby farm fields where the pesticide-laced corn had been deposited.The resolution was laid over to the 2022 session, but it has not yet been scheduled for a public hearing. Blood said she had been promised an early hearing this year by the chairman of the Executive Board, Venango Sen. Dan Hughes, but that hasn’t happened, and the 60-day session has already passed day 21.<h2>$10 million study proposed</h2>Hughes said Tuesday he planned to schedule a hearing later this month or in early March.&nbsp;Blood also introduced LB 1048, which would appropriate&nbsp;$10 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln “to evaluate the chemicals released and pollution caused by ethanol production facilities.” A March 3 hearing has been set for that proposal.Brainard Sen. Bruce Bostelman, whose district includes Mead, introduced his LB 1102 at a public hearing last week. The bill was billed as granting more powers to the NDEE to regulate problem facilities. It would also set up a $300,000 remediation program to finance cleanups of contaminated sites.Last year, state lawmakers passed a bill banning the use of chemically coated seed corn in ethanol production.