The seasonal variability of distillers grains, a byproduct of ethanol production, has been one drawback of using it in a cattle finishing ration. New research from the University of Nebraska — Lincoln is indicating that may not be the drawback the industry thinks it is.

Feeders and researchers have assumed disruptions in the supply of distillers’ grains would affect the performance of feeder cattle accustomed to the feed source. An ongoing study at UNL looks to quantify how much.

According to the research so far, it doesn't.

“Ever since COVID, the supply and deliveries of distillers grains has been inconsistent,” said Paige Madison, a master’s student in the UNL ruminant nutrition department who worked on this research project. “We wanted to see what it would do to the cattle if producers ran out of distillers and had to pull it out of the diet and then a week later, they got a delivery and could put the full inclusion back into the diet.”

When the diet is not consistent, cattle can experience ruminal acidosis, which is when the pH of the rumen becomes low, said Jim MacDonald, UNL professor of animal science and principal investigator on this research project. 

“Acidosis may cause cattle to go off feed, reducing intakes and subsequently causing a reduction in average daily gain and hot carcass weight,” MacDonald said. “Rumen acidosis contributes to economic losses from reduced hot carcass weight, increased liver abscesses, and increased death loss. The economic impact of liver abscesses alone is estimated to be $41.6 million, annually.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

Distillers grains are used in feedlot diets as a source of energy and protein. Distillers can be wet, dry or modified based on the moisture of the byproduct. This research project used modified distillers grains, which have a moisture level of about 48%.

Research on variable amounts of distillers grains included in the feedlot diet can help producers manage feedlot diets for maximum efficiency and cattle health. “The current strategy to manage variable supply is to limit the inclusion of distillers grains,” MacDonald said. “We have seen the inclusion of distillers grains reduced significantly over the past decade due to an increase in the price relative to corn, a perceived reduction in the feeding value of the distillers grains, and variable supply.”

Phase one of the study looked at a ration that included distillers only at 25% of the ration. In this study the distillers grains were replaced with a blend of high-moisture corn and dry-rolled corn. Since the distillers grains also provide protein, urea was added to the control diet so the study was evaluating only the feed source to ensure cattle were not deficient in protein when the distillers grains were removed. The results of this study showed no significant differences in the performance—intake, average daily gain, and feed efficiency—between the constant versus variable inclusion groups of cattle.

Phase two focused on constant versus variable distillers at 10% and 25% of the diet, with a control of corn with no distillers. The researchers were surprised to find there was still no significant difference between the constant versus variable inclusion groups.

The research was conducted at the Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension and Education Center near Mead, Nebraska and is funded by the Nebraska Corn Board.

This winter UNL researchers started a third phase of the variable distillers grains research at UNL’s recently-opened at ENREEC's Klosterman Feedlot Innovation Center using Hokofarm RIC2Discover technology feed bunks, which measure the pattern and amount of feed consumption by individual animals.

Instead of using just cattle performance to determine if there are differences between the constant and variable groups, phase three is also using pH probes in the rumen to detect rumen acidosis that may not result in visible symptoms.

“While we would never recommend that anyone should make sudden dramatic changes to their finishing diets, these data do provide some peace of mind that if supply disruptions or sudden changes in price occur, there is flexibility in making diet changes without negatively impacting animal performance,” MacDonald said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

UNL BeefThe seasonal variability of distillers grains, a byproduct of ethanol production, has been one drawback of using it in a cattle finishing ration. New research from the University of Nebraska — Lincoln is indicating that may not be the drawback the industry thinks it is.Feeders and researchers have assumed disruptions in the supply of distillers’ grains would affect the performance of feeder cattle accustomed to the feed source. An ongoing study at UNL looks to quantify how much.According to the research so far, it doesn't.“Ever since COVID, the supply and deliveries of distillers grains has been inconsistent,” said Paige Madison, a master’s student in the UNL ruminant nutrition department who worked on this research project. “We wanted to see what it would do to the cattle if producers ran out of distillers and had to pull it out of the diet and then a week later, they got a delivery and could put the full inclusion back into the diet.”When the diet is not consistent, cattle can experience ruminal acidosis, which is when the pH of the rumen becomes low, said Jim MacDonald, UNL professor of animal science and principal investigator on this research project. “Acidosis may cause cattle to go off feed, reducing intakes and subsequently causing a reduction in average daily gain and hot carcass weight,” MacDonald said. “Rumen acidosis contributes to economic losses from reduced hot carcass weight, increased liver abscesses, and increased death loss. The economic impact of liver abscesses alone is estimated to be $41.6 million, annually.”&nbsp;&nbsp;Distillers grains are used in feedlot diets as a source of energy and protein. Distillers can be wet, dry or modified based on the moisture of the byproduct. This research project used modified distillers grains, which have a moisture level of about 48%.Research on variable amounts of distillers grains included in the feedlot diet can help producers manage feedlot diets for maximum efficiency and cattle health. “The current strategy to manage variable supply is to limit the inclusion of distillers grains,” MacDonald said. “We have seen the inclusion of distillers grains reduced significantly over the past decade due to an increase in the price relative to corn, a perceived reduction in the feeding value of the distillers grains, and variable supply.”Phase one of the study looked at a ration that included distillers only at 25% of the ration. In this study the distillers grains were replaced with a blend of high-moisture corn and dry-rolled corn. Since the distillers grains also provide protein, urea was added to the control diet so the study was evaluating only the feed source to ensure cattle were not deficient in protein when the distillers grains were removed. The results of this study showed no significant differences in the performance—intake, average daily gain, and feed efficiency—between the constant versus variable inclusion groups of cattle.Phase two focused on constant versus variable distillers at 10% and 25% of the diet, with a control of corn with no distillers. The researchers were surprised to find there was still no significant difference between the constant versus variable inclusion groups.The research was conducted at the Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension and Education Center near Mead, Nebraska and is funded by the Nebraska Corn Board.This winter UNL researchers started a third phase of the variable distillers grains research at UNL’s recently-opened at ENREEC's Klosterman Feedlot Innovation Center using Hokofarm RIC2Discover technology feed bunks, which measure the pattern and amount of feed consumption by individual animals.Instead of using just cattle performance to determine if there are differences between the constant and variable groups, phase three is also using pH probes in the rumen to detect rumen acidosis that may not result in visible symptoms.“While we would never recommend that anyone should make sudden dramatic changes to their finishing diets, these data do provide some peace of mind that if supply disruptions or sudden changes in price occur, there is flexibility in making diet changes without negatively impacting animal performance,” MacDonald said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Preliminary UNL Beef research shows no performance loss associated with varying distillers grains in cattle finishing diets

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/states-largest-union-accepts-labor-contract-aimed-at-luring-new-generation-of-public-servants/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN —&nbsp;The largest labor union representing state government employees has voted to accept a contract with the state that includes pay raises of between 6.5% and up to 19% over a two-year period.

"Another step in the right direction is a negotiated benefit that allows six weeks of paid maternity leave, up from none before", said Justin Hubly, executive director of the Nebraska Association of Public Employees.

The Nebraska Association of Public Employees, or NAPE/AFSCME, had been in discussions with Gov. Jim Pillen’s negotiators since September, and union members wrapped up a two-week voting period on the current terms Friday.

The new contract covers more than 8,000 state employees who provide services in more than 500 jobs at more than 40 state agencies in all 93 counties, according to the union.

“Our members spoke loudly and clearly before negotiations began that in order to attract and retain state employees, salary increases had to outpace inflation and increased insurance costs,” said Hubly.&nbsp;

He said vacancy rates at state agencies remain high, and union members prioritized benefits that would draw applicants who could fill gaps and help with efficient delivery of state services, including salary increases. A media statement said the union expects the contract to help lure a “new generation of public servants.”

The bulk of employees covered under the contract would see a pay raise of 6.5% over the two years, July 1, 2025-June 30, 2027, assuming satisfactory job performance. About 2,000 would see raises of between 9% and 19%, said Hubly.

Among those positions in line for higher salary increases are certain work classifications with notable vacancies, said Hubly, such as behavioral health practitioners in the state prison system and state-employed developmental disabilities service coordinators.

Not reflected in the contract or discussed during negotiations is the future of flexibility to work remotely for state employees, a point of high-profile disagreement after Pillen ordered all state employees, save for certain exceptions, to&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/11/13/governor-orders-end-to-remote-work-directs-state-workers-back-to-offices/">return to the office</a>&nbsp;beginning Jan. 2, 2024.

“The state refused to bargain over remote work because of the pending appeal,” Hubly said Monday.

The union and state&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/state-employees-union-appeals-remote-work-decision-to-nebraska-supreme-court/">continue a legal battle</a>&nbsp;over whether it can force the state to bargain with the union over his decision to force state employees back to the office.&nbsp;

Hubly and other union leaders have said they plan to appeal a July decision by the Commission of Industrial Relations rejecting the union’s push to force Pillen to negotiate the issue and not act unilaterally.

Before they could do so, they needed to wait for the state labor court to decide this month that the union would have to pay the state at least $42,000 in attorney fees from the case.&nbsp;

Of the six weeks of paid maternity leave, Hubly said future negotiations will seek to also gain leave for new fathers. He and Melissa Haynes, president of the union and a program specialist for the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services in Fremont, were pleased with the latest move.

“Six weeks of paid maternity leave is a great start to attract and retain younger public employees to serve our state,” said Haynes. “As younger Nebraskans start their families, we want to encourage them to chase a life of public service, and paid maternity leave does just that.”

Among other highlights of the new contract:

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1738004788996.jpeg" alt="Justin Hubly, executive director of the Nebraska Association of Public Employees, leads a news conference Dec. 7, 2023, in Lincoln regarding Gov. Jim Pillen’s executive order mandating state employees return to in-peson offices by Jan. 2, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>Justin Hubly, executive director of the Nebraska Association of Public Employees, leads a news conference Dec. 7, 2023, in Lincoln regarding Gov. Jim Pillen’s executive order mandating state employees return to in-peson offices by Jan. 2, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Cindy Gonzalez<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/states-largest-union-accepts-labor-contract-aimed-at-luring-new-generation-of-public-servants/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN —&nbsp;The largest labor union representing state government employees has voted to accept a contract with the state that includes pay raises of between 6.5% and up to 19% over a two-year period."Another step in the right direction is a negotiated benefit that allows six weeks of paid maternity leave, up from none before", said Justin Hubly, executive director of the Nebraska Association of Public Employees.The Nebraska Association of Public Employees, or NAPE/AFSCME, had been in discussions with Gov. Jim Pillen’s negotiators since September, and union members wrapped up a two-week voting period on the current terms Friday.The new contract covers more than 8,000 state employees who provide services in more than 500 jobs at more than 40 state agencies in all 93 counties, according to the union.“Our members spoke loudly and clearly before negotiations began that in order to attract and retain state employees, salary increases had to outpace inflation and increased insurance costs,” said Hubly.&nbsp;<h2>High job vacancy</h2>He said vacancy rates at state agencies remain high, and union members prioritized benefits that would draw applicants who could fill gaps and help with efficient delivery of state services, including salary increases. A media statement said the union expects the contract to help lure a “new generation of public servants.”The bulk of employees covered under the contract would see a pay raise of 6.5% over the two years, July 1, 2025-June 30, 2027, assuming satisfactory job performance. About 2,000 would see raises of between 9% and 19%, said Hubly.Among those positions in line for higher salary increases are certain work classifications with notable vacancies, said Hubly, such as behavioral health practitioners in the state prison system and state-employed developmental disabilities service coordinators.Not reflected in the contract or discussed during negotiations is the future of flexibility to work remotely for state employees, a point of high-profile disagreement after Pillen ordered all state employees, save for certain exceptions, to&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/11/13/governor-orders-end-to-remote-work-directs-state-workers-back-to-offices/">return to the office</a>&nbsp;beginning Jan. 2, 2024.“The state refused to bargain over remote work because of the pending appeal,” Hubly said Monday.<h2>Maternity leave</h2>The union and state&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/state-employees-union-appeals-remote-work-decision-to-nebraska-supreme-court/">continue a legal battle</a>&nbsp;over whether it can force the state to bargain with the union over his decision to force state employees back to the office.&nbsp;Hubly and other union leaders have said they plan to appeal a July decision by the Commission of Industrial Relations rejecting the union’s push to force Pillen to negotiate the issue and not act unilaterally.Before they could do so, they needed to wait for the state labor court to decide this month that the union would have to pay the state at least $42,000 in attorney fees from the case.&nbsp;Of the six weeks of paid maternity leave, Hubly said future negotiations will seek to also gain leave for new fathers. He and Melissa Haynes, president of the union and a program specialist for the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services in Fremont, were pleased with the latest move.“Six weeks of paid maternity leave is a great start to attract and retain younger public employees to serve our state,” said Haynes. “As younger Nebraskans start their families, we want to encourage them to chase a life of public service, and paid maternity leave does just that.”<h2>Contract highlights</h2>Among other highlights of the new contract:<ul>
 <li>Minimum wage of $15 an hour for contracted labor, expected to help state employees better compete with outside workers.</li><li>“Premium pay” for people in designated positions who speak more than one language.</li><li>Catastrophic illness sick leave sharing program, which allows flexibility to donate sick leave to other workers.</li><li>Higher shift differentials for the Nebraska State Patrol and Department of Transportation.</li><li>“Premium pay” for certain NDOT employees with commercial drivers licenses, such as snow plow drivers, which is expected to help retain a high turnover group.</li>
 </ul>

State’s Largest Union Accepts Labor Contract Aimed at Luring ‘New Generation’ of Public Servants

Nebraska Department of Transportation

 (Lincoln, Neb.) — The Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) announces federal and state funding is available for fiscal years 2026-2027 (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2027), to support public transit projects in rural Nebraska. 

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) 5311 Rural Public Transportation Program provides capital, planning and operating assistance to support public transportation in rural areas with populations less than 50,000 and where many residents often rely on public transit to reach their destinations. 

Organizations eligible to receive funds for operating a public transportation program include private nonprofit organizations, state or local governmental authorities, operators of public transportation services or intercity bus operators. 

In addition to the 5311 Rural Public Transportation Program, funding is also available for the FTA 5311(f) Intercity Bus Program which provides planning and operating assistance.  The FTA Section 5311 Rural Transit Program and 5311(f) Intercity Bus Program awards grants for operating assistance on a two-year grant cycle. Applications are due March 21, 2025.  

Additional information and applications can be obtained at nebraskatransit.com or by contacting Sarah Soula, at sarah.soula@nebraska.gov 402-479-4871.

Nebraska Department of Transportation (Lincoln, Neb.) — The Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) announces federal and state funding is available for fiscal years 2026-2027 (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2027), to support public transit projects in rural Nebraska. The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) 5311 Rural Public Transportation Program provides capital, planning and operating assistance to support public transportation in rural areas with populations less than 50,000 and where many residents often rely on public transit to reach their destinations. Organizations eligible to receive funds for operating a public transportation program include private nonprofit organizations, state or local governmental authorities, operators of public transportation services or intercity bus operators. In addition to the 5311 Rural Public Transportation Program, funding is also available for the FTA 5311(f) Intercity Bus Program which provides planning and operating assistance. The FTA Section 5311 Rural Transit Program and 5311(f) Intercity Bus Program awards grants for operating assistance on a two-year grant cycle. Applications are due March 21, 2025. Additional information and applications can be obtained at nebraskatransit.com or by contacting Sarah Soula, at sarah.soula@nebraska.gov 402-479-4871.

NDOT Announces Available Funding for Rural Public  Transportation  

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/01/27/twice-a-year-clock-switching-could-tick-closer-to-end-under-three-nebraska-proposals/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — Nebraskans tired of switching their clocks twice each year, in March and November, could have three legislative proposals to choose from this year to inch toward ending the practice.

State Sens. Megan Hunt of Omaha, Dave Murman of Glenvil and Danielle Conrad of Lincoln have introduced, or plan to introduce, proposals to help end the time switch, which the senators said they, like many Nebraskans, are generally over with.

“I don’t care which way we set the clocks,” Hunt said in a text. “I just support stopping the madness of changing the time twice a year.

Hunt’s&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58980" target="_blank">Legislative Bill 34</a>&nbsp;would provide for year-round daylight saving time, maintaining the period between March and November to preserve sunlight later in the day — between the second Sunday in March (“spring ahead”) and the first Sunday in November (“fall back”).

Murman’s&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=59293" target="_blank">LB 302</a>&nbsp;would provide for year-round standard time, the current position of the clocks in the colder fall and winter months when the sun rises earlier.

Both bills would not go into effect until other surrounding states adopt similar laws:

Federal law currently prohibits year-round daylight saving time but does allow year-round standard time, which Hawaii and Arizona (excluding the Navajo Nation) observe.

The bills are up for a hearing before the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee on Friday at 1:30 p.m.

Conrad’s yet-to-be-introduced legislative resolution would more broadly urge Nebraska’s congressional representatives to push for a uniform decision and end the “antiquated” clock changes. It echoes calls from President Donald Trump and bipartisan U.S. senators to find a permanent solution, according to draft language shared with the Nebraska Examiner.

State Sen. Teresa Ibach of Sumner proposed&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=54627" target="_blank">LR 276</a>&nbsp;in 2024 examining Nebraska’s time zone boundary in western Nebraska and urging Congress to&nbsp;<a href="https://daylight-savings.com/zones/usa/nebraska/" target="_blank">move the line a little west</a>, matching where Nebraska’s panhandle begins. It would affect the counties of Dundy, Chase and Perkins in Ibach’s district, as well as Keith, Arthur, Grant, Hooker and the western part of Cherry.

She said lawmakers should be deliberate in deciding what to do with the clock switching because of the extra state approval needed.&nbsp;

Ibach suggested bringing Colorado into the conversation would be helpful, particularly for the three Mountain Time Zone counties in her district that “sandwich” between Colorado and other Nebraska counties in the Central Time Zone.

If Colorado sticks with the clocks as is, year-round standard time would create a “southwest Nebraska time-zone island,” between March and November, for Perkins, Chase and Dundy Counties, as reported by the&nbsp;<a href="https://nptelegraph.com/news/local/government-politics/nebraska-legislature-hearing-standard-time-dst/article_01f5a4f8-da86-11ef-b17f-a7d42d321346.html#tracking-source=home-top-story" target="_blank">North Platte Telegraph</a>&nbsp;and Scottsbluff Star-Herald. Those residents would be surrounded in the west by a different version of the Mountain Time Zone and in the east by Nebraska’s Central Time Zone.

“I think we need to dissect it just a little bit further and find out the repercussions of actually passing legislation or investigating if we can pass that legislation,” Ibach said.

Ibach said it’s possible that any of the proposals could restart conversations on moving the time zone a few miles west, while she understands arguments from some local residents opposed because that system is all they’ve ever known.&nbsp;

Moving the time zone would also require the blessing of at least South Dakota and Kansas.

Hunt said she is a night owl and likes it sunny later in the evening, but she’s cosigning Murman’s bill to end the practice either way. Conrad has added her name to both measures and&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/senators-vote-down-proposals-to-end-spring-forward-fall-back-changes/">led a defeated effort in 2024</a>&nbsp;on behalf of&nbsp;former State Sen. Tom Briese of Albion, now the state treasurer.

Murman said he prefers standard time because of purported health benefits, aligning with more sun in the morning when people are starting their day, including students.

Former State Sen. Steve Erdman of Bayard was an&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/debate-continues-on-whether-nebraska-should-change-to-permanent-daylight-saving-time-or-permanent-standard-time/">ardent proponent of year-round standard time</a>, particularly for the effect on his Mountain Time residents and students.

Erdman famously&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/107/PDF/Transcripts/FloorDebate/r2day41.pdf" target="_blank">stated in March 2022</a>: “The sun comes up at an appointed time every day irregardless of what we say the time is. … When God created time, he put the sun right in the middle of the sky at noon. And if it’s good enough for God, it’s good enough for me.”

Zach Wendling<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/01/27/twice-a-year-clock-switching-could-tick-closer-to-end-under-three-nebraska-proposals/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — Nebraskans tired of switching their clocks twice each year, in March and November, could have three legislative proposals to choose from this year to inch toward ending the practice.State Sens. Megan Hunt of Omaha, Dave Murman of Glenvil and Danielle Conrad of Lincoln have introduced, or plan to introduce, proposals to help end the time switch, which the senators said they, like many Nebraskans, are generally over with.“I don’t care which way we set the clocks,” Hunt said in a text. “I just support stopping the madness of changing the time twice a year.<h2>Three different proposals</h2>Hunt’s&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58980" target="_blank">Legislative Bill 34</a>&nbsp;would provide for year-round daylight saving time, maintaining the period between March and November to preserve sunlight later in the day — between the second Sunday in March (“spring ahead”) and the first Sunday in November (“fall back”).Murman’s&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=59293" target="_blank">LB 302</a>&nbsp;would provide for year-round standard time, the current position of the clocks in the colder fall and winter months when the sun rises earlier.Both bills would not go into effect until other surrounding states adopt similar laws:<ul>
 <li>For Hunt’s bill, three adjacent states to Nebraska would need to adopt a single year-round standard of time.</li><li>For Murman’s bill, Iowa, Kansas, South Dakota and Wyoming would all need to adopt legislation for year-round standard time.</li>
 </ul>Federal law currently prohibits year-round daylight saving time but does allow year-round standard time, which Hawaii and Arizona (excluding the Navajo Nation) observe.The bills are up for a hearing before the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee on Friday at 1:30 p.m.Conrad’s yet-to-be-introduced legislative resolution would more broadly urge Nebraska’s congressional representatives to push for a uniform decision and end the “antiquated” clock changes. It echoes calls from President Donald Trump and bipartisan U.S. senators to find a permanent solution, according to draft language shared with the Nebraska Examiner.<h2>Time zones and Colorado</h2>State Sen. Teresa Ibach of Sumner proposed&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=54627" target="_blank">LR 276</a>&nbsp;in 2024 examining Nebraska’s time zone boundary in western Nebraska and urging Congress to&nbsp;<a href="https://daylight-savings.com/zones/usa/nebraska/" target="_blank">move the line a little west</a>, matching where Nebraska’s panhandle begins. It would affect the counties of Dundy, Chase and Perkins in Ibach’s district, as well as Keith, Arthur, Grant, Hooker and the western part of Cherry.She said lawmakers should be deliberate in deciding what to do with the clock switching because of the extra state approval needed.&nbsp;Ibach suggested bringing Colorado into the conversation would be helpful, particularly for the three Mountain Time Zone counties in her district that “sandwich” between Colorado and other Nebraska counties in the Central Time Zone.If Colorado sticks with the clocks as is, year-round standard time would create a “southwest Nebraska time-zone island,” between March and November, for Perkins, Chase and Dundy Counties, as reported by the&nbsp;<a href="https://nptelegraph.com/news/local/government-politics/nebraska-legislature-hearing-standard-time-dst/article_01f5a4f8-da86-11ef-b17f-a7d42d321346.html#tracking-source=home-top-story" target="_blank">North Platte Telegraph</a>&nbsp;and Scottsbluff Star-Herald. Those residents would be surrounded in the west by a different version of the Mountain Time Zone and in the east by Nebraska’s Central Time Zone.“I think we need to dissect it just a little bit further and find out the repercussions of actually passing legislation or investigating if we can pass that legislation,” Ibach said.Ibach said it’s possible that any of the proposals could restart conversations on moving the time zone a few miles west, while she understands arguments from some local residents opposed because that system is all they’ve ever known.&nbsp;Moving the time zone would also require the blessing of at least South Dakota and Kansas.<h2>‘Good enough for God’</h2>Hunt said she is a night owl and likes it sunny later in the evening, but she’s cosigning Murman’s bill to end the practice either way. Conrad has added her name to both measures and&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/senators-vote-down-proposals-to-end-spring-forward-fall-back-changes/">led a defeated effort in 2024</a>&nbsp;on behalf of&nbsp;former State Sen. Tom Briese of Albion, now the state treasurer.Murman said he prefers standard time because of purported health benefits, aligning with more sun in the morning when people are starting their day, including students.Former State Sen. Steve Erdman of Bayard was an&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/debate-continues-on-whether-nebraska-should-change-to-permanent-daylight-saving-time-or-permanent-standard-time/">ardent proponent of year-round standard time</a>, particularly for the effect on his Mountain Time residents and students.Erdman famously&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/107/PDF/Transcripts/FloorDebate/r2day41.pdf" target="_blank">stated in March 2022</a>: “The sun comes up at an appointed time every day irregardless of what we say the time is. … When God created time, he put the sun right in the middle of the sky at noon. And if it’s good enough for God, it’s good enough for me.”

Twice-a-year Clock Switching Could Tick Closer to End Under Three Nebraska Proposals

LINCOLN, NEB. – “Nebraska Farm Bureau and Nebraska's farm and ranch families will be well served by Jim Macy as the new administrator of EPA Region 7 which comprises of Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri. Jim served Nebraska well during his time at the Department of Environment and Energy, and we look forward to working with him at Region 7. 

Jim knows and regularly proved that the best way to work with farmers and ranchers is to maintain regular communication, and work as partners to help protect the environment. We congratulate Jim on his appointment, and we're excited to get to work on the many regulatory issues that impact Nebraska's farmers and ranchers."&nbsp;

The Nebraska Farm Bureau is a grassroots, state-wide organization dedicated to supporting farm and ranch families and working for the benefit of all Nebraskans through a wide variety of educational, service, and advocacy efforts. 

More than 56,000 families across Nebraska are Farm Bureau members, working together to achieve rural and urban prosperity as agriculture is a key fuel to Nebraska’s economy. For more information about Nebraska Farm Bureau and agriculture, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nefb.org/" target="_blank">www.nefb.org</a>.

Nebraska Farm BureauLINCOLN, NEB. – “Nebraska Farm Bureau and Nebraska's farm and ranch families will be well served by Jim Macy as the new administrator of EPA Region 7 which comprises of Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri. Jim served Nebraska well during his time at the Department of Environment and Energy, and we look forward to working with him at Region 7. Jim knows and regularly proved that the best way to work with farmers and ranchers is to maintain regular communication, and work as partners to help protect the environment. We congratulate Jim on his appointment, and we're excited to get to work on the many regulatory issues that impact Nebraska's farmers and ranchers."&nbsp;The Nebraska Farm Bureau is a grassroots, state-wide organization dedicated to supporting farm and ranch families and working for the benefit of all Nebraskans through a wide variety of educational, service, and advocacy efforts. More than 56,000 families across Nebraska are Farm Bureau members, working together to achieve rural and urban prosperity as agriculture is a key fuel to Nebraska’s economy. For more information about Nebraska Farm Bureau and agriculture, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nefb.org/" target="_blank">www.nefb.org</a>.

Statement by Mark McHargue, President, Regarding Jim Macy Selection as Administrator of EPA Region 7

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Latjor Gony and Jal Thong, both age 29, of Omaha, Nebraska, were sentenced on January 23, 2025, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska for burglarizing pharmacies and Gony was also sentenced for possessing firearms by a prohibited person. United Sates District Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced both Gony and Thong to 100 months’ imprisonment. Gony was also ordered to pay $42,489.01 in restitution to the victims and Thong was ordered to pay $46,929.53 in restitution. 

There is no parole in the federal system. After Gony’s release from prison, he will begin a 6-year term of supervised release. After Thong’s release from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.

Between October 23, 2021, and December 22, 2021, pharmacies in central Nebraska towns were burglarized. Pharmacies in Ravenna, Holdrege, Minden, Alma, and Loup City were victimized. During each burglary, one to three individuals, dressed head to toe in hoodies, sweatpants, gloves, and masks, broke through the front door, entered the pharmacy, stole narcotics, then left within a few minutes. Evidence gathered by law enforcement agencies showed that Gony and Thong were the burglars.

Several different controlled substances were taken during the burglaries, to include hydrocodone, oxycontin, oxycodone HCL, oxycodone acetaminophen, Adderall, hydromorphone, and promethazine syrup. A distribution quantity of narcotics was stolen during the course of these burglaries.

Gony’s and Thongs phone records were examined by law enforcement. The records showed that Gony and Thong communicated with one another as well as with customers about the sale and distribution of controlled substances taken from the pharmacies. Data from the burglars’ iCloud, cell phone, and social media accounts included photos and videos of controlled substances taken from the pharmacies. Investigators found cell tower data showing that Gony’s and Thong’s phones were located in some of the towns at, or around the time that burglaries took place. Investigators also found images of Gony possessing firearms. From these images, investigators identified at least two different firearms, one of which came from a shooting range, and another was retrieved by Omaha Police officers several months later during a traffic stop.&nbsp; Investigators also found images of the burglars consuming controlled substances stolen in the burglaries.&nbsp;

Gony, who was on parole at the time of these crimes, had felony convictions from Nebraska preventing him from possessing firearms. His sentence in this case was enhanced because he had a prior conviction for drug distribution in Nebraska.&nbsp;

“When someone steals from a pharmacy, they’re hurting people who are often already in pain and in need of medicine. This is unconscionable,” Drug Enforcement Administration Omaha Division Special Agent in Charge Steven T. Bell said. “The DEA and our state, local and federal law enforcement partners will work tirelessly to bring down the individuals responsible for causing fear and destruction in our Nebraska communities as noted in today’s sentencing.” &nbsp;

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration Omaha Division, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Omaha Police Department, the Nebraska State Patrol, the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office, The Kearney Police Department, the Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office, the Harlan County Sheriff’s Office, the Ravenna Police Department, the Holdrege Police Department, and the Sherman County Sheriff’s Office.

United States Attorney's OfficeUnited States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Latjor Gony and Jal Thong, both age 29, of Omaha, Nebraska, were sentenced on January 23, 2025, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska for burglarizing pharmacies and Gony was also sentenced for possessing firearms by a prohibited person. United Sates District Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced both Gony and Thong to 100 months’ imprisonment. Gony was also ordered to pay $42,489.01 in restitution to the victims and Thong was ordered to pay $46,929.53 in restitution. There is no parole in the federal system. After Gony’s release from prison, he will begin a 6-year term of supervised release. After Thong’s release from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.Between October 23, 2021, and December 22, 2021, pharmacies in central Nebraska towns were burglarized. Pharmacies in Ravenna, Holdrege, Minden, Alma, and Loup City were victimized. During each burglary, one to three individuals, dressed head to toe in hoodies, sweatpants, gloves, and masks, broke through the front door, entered the pharmacy, stole narcotics, then left within a few minutes. Evidence gathered by law enforcement agencies showed that Gony and Thong were the burglars.Several different controlled substances were taken during the burglaries, to include hydrocodone, oxycontin, oxycodone HCL, oxycodone acetaminophen, Adderall, hydromorphone, and promethazine syrup. A distribution quantity of narcotics was stolen during the course of these burglaries.Gony’s and Thongs phone records were examined by law enforcement. The records showed that Gony and Thong communicated with one another as well as with customers about the sale and distribution of controlled substances taken from the pharmacies. Data from the burglars’ iCloud, cell phone, and social media accounts included photos and videos of controlled substances taken from the pharmacies. Investigators found cell tower data showing that Gony’s and Thong’s phones were located in some of the towns at, or around the time that burglaries took place. Investigators also found images of Gony possessing firearms. From these images, investigators identified at least two different firearms, one of which came from a shooting range, and another was retrieved by Omaha Police officers several months later during a traffic stop.&nbsp; Investigators also found images of the burglars consuming controlled substances stolen in the burglaries.&nbsp;Gony, who was on parole at the time of these crimes, had felony convictions from Nebraska preventing him from possessing firearms. His sentence in this case was enhanced because he had a prior conviction for drug distribution in Nebraska.&nbsp;“When someone steals from a pharmacy, they’re hurting people who are often already in pain and in need of medicine. This is unconscionable,” Drug Enforcement Administration Omaha Division Special Agent in Charge Steven T. Bell said. “The DEA and our state, local and federal law enforcement partners will work tirelessly to bring down the individuals responsible for causing fear and destruction in our Nebraska communities as noted in today’s sentencing.” &nbsp;This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration Omaha Division, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Omaha Police Department, the Nebraska State Patrol, the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office, The Kearney Police Department, the Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office, the Harlan County Sheriff’s Office, the Ravenna Police Department, the Holdrege Police Department, and the Sherman County Sheriff’s Office.

Omaha Men Sentenced For Pharmacy Burglaries and Possession of Firearms

(Omaha, Neb.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— One person is in custody, and nobody is injured, after an incident that included an officer-involved shooting early this morning in Omaha.

Preliminary information shows that at approximately 12:40 a.m. Saturday, a trooper attempted a traffic stop on a Jeep Commander for speeding while traveling westbound on Interstate 80 near 96th&nbsp;Street. The driver refused to stop, and the trooper initiated a pursuit.

The pursuit came to an end at an apartment complex near 108th&nbsp;and Harrison Streets, where troopers attempted a felony traffic stop. As troopers were giving commands to exit the vehicle, the driver rammed three NSP patrol units, a garage, and a retaining wall at the apartment complex. Officers from several other agencies began responding as well.

The driver then drove toward troopers who were outside their patrol units, at which point two troopers fired shots toward the driver. The driver was not struck and was able to drive a short distance before crashing into multiple parked vehicles in the parking lot, disabling the suspect’s vehicle.

At that point another trooper deployed a taser and troopers took the driver into custody. Neither the suspect nor any troopers were injured during this incident. Alcohol is believed to be a factor and will be part of the investigation. The suspect will be lodged in jail on several charges.

Further information will be released when possible.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716320706146.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Cody ThomasNebraska State Patrol(Omaha, Neb.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— One person is in custody, and nobody is injured, after an incident that included an officer-involved shooting early this morning in Omaha.Preliminary information shows that at approximately 12:40 a.m. Saturday, a trooper attempted a traffic stop on a Jeep Commander for speeding while traveling westbound on Interstate 80 near 96th&nbsp;Street. The driver refused to stop, and the trooper initiated a pursuit.The pursuit came to an end at an apartment complex near 108th&nbsp;and Harrison Streets, where troopers attempted a felony traffic stop. As troopers were giving commands to exit the vehicle, the driver rammed three NSP patrol units, a garage, and a retaining wall at the apartment complex. Officers from several other agencies began responding as well.The driver then drove toward troopers who were outside their patrol units, at which point two troopers fired shots toward the driver. The driver was not struck and was able to drive a short distance before crashing into multiple parked vehicles in the parking lot, disabling the suspect’s vehicle.At that point another trooper deployed a taser and troopers took the driver into custody. Neither the suspect nor any troopers were injured during this incident. Alcohol is believed to be a factor and will be part of the investigation. The suspect will be lodged in jail on several charges.Further information will be released when possible.

 One Arrested, None Injured After Officer-Involved Shooting in Omaha

&nbsp;President&nbsp;Donald Trump&nbsp; discussed his campaign promise to eliminate taxes on tips during a rally Saturday in Las Vegas. (Click below to watch)

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737846846313.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;President&nbsp;Donald Trump&nbsp; discussed his campaign promise to eliminate taxes on tips during a rally Saturday in Las Vegas. (Click below to watch)<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OXo-XBvMAUQ?si=mFg7mkE_gLDGmNoX&amp;start=8" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

🎥President Trump in Las Vegas discussed No Tax on Tips policy 

January 25, 2025 (Omaha, Neb.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— One person is in custody, and nobody is injured, after an incident that included an officer-involved shooting early this morning in Omaha.

Cody ThomasNebraska State PatrolJanuary 25, 2025 (Omaha, Neb.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— One person is in custody, and nobody is injured, after an incident that included an officer-involved shooting early this morning in Omaha.Preliminary information shows that at approximately 12:40 a.m. Saturday, a trooper attempted a traffic stop on a Jeep Commander for speeding while traveling westbound on Interstate 80 near 96th&nbsp;Street. The driver refused to stop, and the trooper initiated a pursuit.The pursuit came to an end at an apartment complex near 108th&nbsp;and Harrison Streets, where troopers attempted a felony traffic stop. As troopers were giving commands to exit the vehicle, the driver rammed three NSP patrol units, a garage, and a retaining wall at the apartment complex. Officers from several other agencies began responding as well.The driver then drove toward troopers who were outside their patrol units, at which point two troopers fired shots toward the driver. The driver was not struck and was able to drive a short distance before crashing into multiple parked vehicles in the parking lot, disabling the suspect’s vehicle.At that point another trooper deployed a taser and troopers took the driver into custody. Neither the suspect nor any troopers were injured during this incident. Alcohol is believed to be a factor and will be part of the investigation. The suspect will be lodged in jail on several charges.Further information will be released when possible.

One Arrested, None Injured After Officer-Involved Shooting in Omaha

LINCOLN, NE – Governor Jim Pillen proclaimed January as Mentoring Month in Nebraska in front of an audience of state mentorship organizations and Miss Nebraska Raechel Warren whose platform was mentorship. Organizations in attendance included 100 Black Men of Omaha, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lincoln, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands, Kids Can, MentorNebraska, Partnership for Kids, TeamMates and Visionary Youth.

After signing the proclamation, Gov. Pillen awarded specially designed mentorship challenge coins to 25 of the State of Nebraska’s top public servant youth mentors. Following the awarding of the challenge coin, each honoree received a photo with Gov. Jim Pillen, First Lady Suzanne Pillen and Miss Nebraska Raechel Warren.

“One of the best things we can do for kids is ensure that they have a mentor in their life who will listen to them and provide guidance,“ said Gov. Pillen. “I am pleased to proclaim January as Mentoring Month in Nebraska and I am proud of the public servants being recognized today for their service as youth mentors.”

Melissa Mayo, executive director of MENTORNebraska, emphasized that more than 2,500 Nebraska kids still need mentors. She encouraged Nebraskans to get involved with mentoring youth across the state.

"National Mentoring Month is an opportunity to celebrate the powerful impact of mentoring and raise awareness about the critical need for mentors,” Mayo said. “The Governor's Public Servant Youth Mentoring Program stands as a prime example of how dedicating just one hour a week of paid time off to mentor a young person can create lasting positive change throughout communities in Nebraska."

TeamMates Mentoring is one of the organizations participating in the public servant youth mentoring program. CEO DeMoine Adams of TeamMates spoke on the importance of expanding mentoring. “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is ‘what are you doing for others?’” he said.

"We’re excited to celebrate Mentoring Month in Nebraska collectively with other mentoring organizations by celebrating the power of relationships, raising awareness around the importance of mentoring, and expanding the mentoring movement across the state of Nebraska,” said Adams. “We appreciate the state for supporting mentoring by allowing their employees to volunteer their time."

Christopher McCoy, executive director of 100 Black Men of Omaha, emphasized the importance of mentorship programs rooted in cultural sensitivity and community engagement. These programs help young people see their potential reflected in mentors who share their experience.

"As we navigate an increasingly complex and polarizing world, the role of mentorship in shaping the future of our youth has never been more critical,” said McCoy. “National Mentoring Month provides a meaningful opportunity to unite in celebration of the powerful impact mentoring has on the lives of young people. When mentors actively engage with youth in their communities, they foster a sense of belonging, cultural pride, and a vision of what is possible. Mentoring is more than just guidance — it is a lifeline."

The State of Nebraska Public Servant Youth Mentoring program provides one hour of paid leave to public servants participating in an approved mentoring program. Public servants being recognized today mentored through 100 Black Men of Omaha, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands, Kids Can and TeamMates Mentoring.

“The State of Nebraska is pleased to contribute to our local communities by offering this opportunity for public servants to mentor Nebraska youth,” said State Personnel Director Sean Davis. “We are working to expand the number of mentors in the program and look for even more to be recognized for their efforts next year.”

The 25 public servants recognized with challenge coins, and their respective agencies:

Courtney Brewer, Department of Health and Human Services

Karen Krull Robart, Department of Health and Human Services

Daniell Moore, Department of Health and Human Services

Anissa Rasmussen, Department of Economic Development

Leticia Torres, Department of Health and Human Services

Jamie Adkins, Department of Health and Human Services

Lucas Atkinson, Department of Health and Human Services

Tiffany Bui, Department of Health and Human Services

Ami Dorant, Department of Health and Human Services

Jadyn Gentleman, Department of Corrections

Michele Janky, Department of Health and Human Services

Crystal L'Heureux, Department of Health and Human Services

Kayleigh Monzon, Department of Health and Human Services

Kerrin Packard, Department of Health and Human Services

Michelle Schmit Zwingman, Department of Education

Macey Van Ackeren, Department of Corrections

Tylor Watts, Department of Health and Human Services

Office of Governor Jim PillenLINCOLN, NE – Governor Jim Pillen proclaimed January as Mentoring Month in Nebraska in front of an audience of state mentorship organizations and Miss Nebraska Raechel Warren whose platform was mentorship. Organizations in attendance included 100 Black Men of Omaha, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lincoln, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands, Kids Can, MentorNebraska, Partnership for Kids, TeamMates and Visionary Youth.After signing the proclamation, Gov. Pillen awarded specially designed mentorship challenge coins to 25 of the State of Nebraska’s top public servant youth mentors. Following the awarding of the challenge coin, each honoree received a photo with Gov. Jim Pillen, First Lady Suzanne Pillen and Miss Nebraska Raechel Warren.“One of the best things we can do for kids is ensure that they have a mentor in their life who will listen to them and provide guidance,“ said Gov. Pillen. “I am pleased to proclaim January as Mentoring Month in Nebraska and I am proud of the public servants being recognized today for their service as youth mentors.”Melissa Mayo, executive director of MENTORNebraska, emphasized that more than 2,500 Nebraska kids still need mentors. She encouraged Nebraskans to get involved with mentoring youth across the state."National Mentoring Month is an opportunity to celebrate the powerful impact of mentoring and raise awareness about the critical need for mentors,” Mayo said. “The Governor's Public Servant Youth Mentoring Program stands as a prime example of how dedicating just one hour a week of paid time off to mentor a young person can create lasting positive change throughout communities in Nebraska."TeamMates Mentoring is one of the organizations participating in the public servant youth mentoring program. CEO DeMoine Adams of TeamMates spoke on the importance of expanding mentoring. “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is ‘what are you doing for others?’” he said."We’re excited to celebrate Mentoring Month in Nebraska collectively with other mentoring organizations by celebrating the power of relationships, raising awareness around the importance of mentoring, and expanding the mentoring movement across the state of Nebraska,” said Adams. “We appreciate the state for supporting mentoring by allowing their employees to volunteer their time."Christopher McCoy, executive director of 100 Black Men of Omaha, emphasized the importance of mentorship programs rooted in cultural sensitivity and community engagement. These programs help young people see their potential reflected in mentors who share their experience."As we navigate an increasingly complex and polarizing world, the role of mentorship in shaping the future of our youth has never been more critical,” said McCoy. “National Mentoring Month provides a meaningful opportunity to unite in celebration of the powerful impact mentoring has on the lives of young people. When mentors actively engage with youth in their communities, they foster a sense of belonging, cultural pride, and a vision of what is possible. Mentoring is more than just guidance — it is a lifeline."The State of Nebraska Public Servant Youth Mentoring program provides one hour of paid leave to public servants participating in an approved mentoring program. Public servants being recognized today mentored through 100 Black Men of Omaha, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands, Kids Can and TeamMates Mentoring.“The State of Nebraska is pleased to contribute to our local communities by offering this opportunity for public servants to mentor Nebraska youth,” said State Personnel Director Sean Davis. “We are working to expand the number of mentors in the program and look for even more to be recognized for their efforts next year.”The 25 public servants recognized with challenge coins, and their respective agencies:Courtney Brewer, Department of Health and Human ServicesAlison Kortefay, Department of EducationKaren Krull Robart, Department of Health and Human ServicesNicole Mercer, Nebraska Probation SystemDaniell Moore, Department of Health and Human ServicesAnissa Rasmussen, Department of Economic DevelopmentLeticia Torres, Department of Health and Human ServicesJamie Adkins, Department of Health and Human ServicesLucas Atkinson, Department of Health and Human ServicesTiffany Bui, Department of Health and Human ServicesTrudy Clark, Department of EducationAmi Dorant, Department of Health and Human ServicesJadyn Gentleman, Department of CorrectionsMichele Janky, Department of Health and Human ServicesCrystal L'Heureux, Department of Health and Human ServicesNicole Miller, Board of ParoleKayleigh Monzon, Department of Health and Human ServicesKerrin Packard, Department of Health and Human ServicesMichelle Schmit Zwingman, Department of EducationMacey Van Ackeren, Department of CorrectionsRuth Walla, Department of RevenueTylor Watts, Department of Health and Human ServicesCaitlyn Wensel, Nebraska State PatrolBrennan Young, Department of CorrectionsPaige Zamora, Nebraska Probation System

Governor Pillen Proclaims Mentorship in Nebraska Month, Recognizes Top Public Servant Mentors

LINCOLN, NE –&nbsp;Today, Governor Jim Pillen joined state senators, county attorneys, and law enforcement officials to discuss legislation (LB 556) to fix Nebraska’s broken juvenile justice system. Senator Merv Riepe of Omaha introduced LB 556 at the request of the Governor. LB 556 was introduced in response to a dramatic rise in felonies committed by juveniles since 2017. In Douglas County alone, juvenile repeat offenders have increased by 1700% since 2017.&nbsp;

“Public safety is the highest calling of government,” said Gov. Pillen. “None of us in Nebraska want to come to the reality that we have young boys committing these violent acts. The reality is that there are violent and even deadly crimes being committed by juveniles as young as 11 and 12 years old. This is hard for us to comprehend in Nebraska. The officers and prosecutors here are seeing the impacts of it firsthand and to say it’s alarming is an understatement.”

LB 556 changes the criteria for detention to give greater authority to the courts to detain juveniles in a physically restrictive facility for the safety of the juvenile and the community. Furthermore, this legislation will require a court hearing to review juvenile placement unless waived by both parties and lower the minimum age at which a juvenile may be detained from age 13 to age 11.

For felony arrests of a juvenile, it requires a judge, in consultation with a probation officer, to make a determination about detention. Finally, LB 556 will lower the age at which a juvenile can be charged as an adult for the most serious crimes (Class I, IA, IB, IC, ID, II and IIA felonies) from age 14 to age 12.

"This bill is not about punishment—it’s about protection: for our communities, our families, and the juveniles themselves,” said Senator Riepe. “By providing safe, secure detention options and empowering judges to make case-specific decisions, we can intervene early, prevent further harm, and offer meaningful opportunities for rehabilitation. Safety and accountability go hand-in-hand, ensuring a balanced approach that reduces crime and builds a safer future for all."

Speaking on the importance of addressing the spike in serious criminal offenses by juveniles, Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine thanked Governor Pillen for prioritizing this commonsense legislation that will address public safety deficiencies within our current law dealing with juveniles committing very violent crimes. “I’ve seen and met with the victims of these crimes, and I’ve seen the impact it also has on that juvenile,” said Mr. Kleine. “We need better tools to address these issues. The judge will ultimately determine whether detention is appropriate. It’s about fairness, safety, and doing what’s right for the juvenile.”

Douglas County Sheriff Aaron Hanson added his support for LB 556. "I would like to thank Governor Pillen and Senator&nbsp;Riepe for introducing this commonsense piece of legislation,” said Sheriff Aaron Hanson. “Since 2017's Juvenile Justice reform&nbsp;efforts, we have seen a 1700% increase in repeat juvenile offenders in Douglas County alone. Current law ties the hands of parents, probation officers, police, prosecutors, and judges when it comes to keeping the public and these offenders safe. This new legislation is a transformative step that will allow Law Enforcement to better protect the public and these juvenile offenders."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737742581655.jpeg" alt="(Courtesy)" />
 <figcaption>(Courtesy)</figcaption>
 </figure>Office of Governor Jim PillenLINCOLN, NE –&nbsp;Today, Governor Jim Pillen joined state senators, county attorneys, and law enforcement officials to discuss legislation (LB 556) to fix Nebraska’s broken juvenile justice system. Senator Merv Riepe of Omaha introduced LB 556 at the request of the Governor. LB 556 was introduced in response to a dramatic rise in felonies committed by juveniles since 2017. In Douglas County alone, juvenile repeat offenders have increased by 1700% since 2017.&nbsp;“Public safety is the highest calling of government,” said Gov. Pillen. “None of us in Nebraska want to come to the reality that we have young boys committing these violent acts. The reality is that there are violent and even deadly crimes being committed by juveniles as young as 11 and 12 years old. This is hard for us to comprehend in Nebraska. The officers and prosecutors here are seeing the impacts of it firsthand and to say it’s alarming is an understatement.”LB 556 changes the criteria for detention to give greater authority to the courts to detain juveniles in a physically restrictive facility for the safety of the juvenile and the community. Furthermore, this legislation will require a court hearing to review juvenile placement unless waived by both parties and lower the minimum age at which a juvenile may be detained from age 13 to age 11.For felony arrests of a juvenile, it requires a judge, in consultation with a probation officer, to make a determination about detention. Finally, LB 556 will lower the age at which a juvenile can be charged as an adult for the most serious crimes (Class I, IA, IB, IC, ID, II and IIA felonies) from age 14 to age 12."This bill is not about punishment—it’s about protection: for our communities, our families, and the juveniles themselves,” said Senator Riepe. “By providing safe, secure detention options and empowering judges to make case-specific decisions, we can intervene early, prevent further harm, and offer meaningful opportunities for rehabilitation. Safety and accountability go hand-in-hand, ensuring a balanced approach that reduces crime and builds a safer future for all."Speaking on the importance of addressing the spike in serious criminal offenses by juveniles, Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine thanked Governor Pillen for prioritizing this commonsense legislation that will address public safety deficiencies within our current law dealing with juveniles committing very violent crimes. “I’ve seen and met with the victims of these crimes, and I’ve seen the impact it also has on that juvenile,” said Mr. Kleine. “We need better tools to address these issues. The judge will ultimately determine whether detention is appropriate. It’s about fairness, safety, and doing what’s right for the juvenile.”Douglas County Sheriff Aaron Hanson added his support for LB 556. "I would like to thank Governor Pillen and Senator&nbsp;Riepe for introducing this commonsense piece of legislation,” said Sheriff Aaron Hanson. “Since 2017's Juvenile Justice reform&nbsp;efforts, we have seen a 1700% increase in repeat juvenile offenders in Douglas County alone. Current law ties the hands of parents, probation officers, police, prosecutors, and judges when it comes to keeping the public and these offenders safe. This new legislation is a transformative step that will allow Law Enforcement to better protect the public and these juvenile offenders."

Governor Pillen and Senators Introduce Juvenile Justice Reform Legislation 

January 24, 2025 (Lincoln, Neb.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol, with the assistance of the UNL Police Department, have arrested one person after a laser strike on the NSP helicopter. Pointing a laser at an aircraft is a federal offense and any laser strike constitutes an in-flight emergency.

At approximately 10:00 p.m. Thursday, the NSP Aviation Support Unit was assisting the Lincoln Police Department with a pursuit of a reckless driver. As the pilot and tactical flight officer were tracking the suspect vehicle, the helicopter was struck with a green laser.

The pilot was able to determine that the laser had come from a window in a specific area of Abel Hall, on the campus of University of Nebraska – Lincoln. Officers from the UNL Police Department were then able to locate the person responsible.

A trooper arrived on scene and arrested the suspect for second degree assault. The suspect, an 18-year-old male, was lodged in Lancaster County Jail. NSP has reported the laser strike to the Federal Aviation Administration.

“Pointing a laser at an aircraft is not only a federal crime, but also extremely dangerous,” said Lieutenant Justin Grint, Commander of the NSP AirWing. “A laser strike, at the very least, takes a pilot’s attention away from the flight of the aircraft, but it can also temporarily blind a pilot.”

According to the FAA, there were 38 reported laser strike incidents in Nebraska in 2024. This is the third time in the last two months that the NSP helicopter has been struck with a laser while flying above Lincoln.

Cody ThomasNebraska State PatrolJanuary 24, 2025 (Lincoln, Neb.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol, with the assistance of the UNL Police Department, have arrested one person after a laser strike on the NSP helicopter. Pointing a laser at an aircraft is a federal offense and any laser strike constitutes an in-flight emergency.At approximately 10:00 p.m. Thursday, the NSP Aviation Support Unit was assisting the Lincoln Police Department with a pursuit of a reckless driver. As the pilot and tactical flight officer were tracking the suspect vehicle, the helicopter was struck with a green laser.The pilot was able to determine that the laser had come from a window in a specific area of Abel Hall, on the campus of University of Nebraska – Lincoln. Officers from the UNL Police Department were then able to locate the person responsible.A trooper arrived on scene and arrested the suspect for second degree assault. The suspect, an 18-year-old male, was lodged in Lancaster County Jail. NSP has reported the laser strike to the Federal Aviation Administration.“Pointing a laser at an aircraft is not only a federal crime, but also extremely dangerous,” said Lieutenant Justin Grint, Commander of the NSP AirWing. “A laser strike, at the very least, takes a pilot’s attention away from the flight of the aircraft, but it can also temporarily blind a pilot.”According to the FAA, there were 38 reported laser strike incidents in Nebraska in 2024. This is the third time in the last two months that the NSP helicopter has been struck with a laser while flying above Lincoln.

Troopers Make Arrest After Laser Strike on NSP Helicopter

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced the federal Grand Jury for the District of Nebraska has returned six (6) unsealed Indictments charging six (6) defendants. Indictments are charging documents that contain one or more individual counts that are merely accusations, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Brett A. Richardson, age 55, of Lincoln, Nebraska, is charged in a ten-count Indictment with failure to pay over to the Internal Revenue Service payroll taxes throughout calendar years 2018 to 2021.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment on all counts.&nbsp;

Walter James Hulit, age 37, of Walthill, Nebraska, is charged with failure to register as a sex offender from at least on or about October 2024, and continuing to on or about November 18, 2024.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, not less than 5 years and up to life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.&nbsp;

Jal Chuar, age 29, of Omaha, Nebraska is charged with bank robbery on or about December 4, 2024.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Joshua M. Meyer, age 44, of Omaha, Nebraska, is charged in a two-count Indictment. Count 1 charges Meyer with distribution of child pornography with a prior conviction beginning on or about June 27, 2023, and continuing until on or about July 17, 2023.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 15 years’ and up to 40 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, not less than 5 years and up to life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count 2 charges Meyer with distribution of child pornography with a prior conviction beginning on or about June 1, 2024, and continuing until on or about August 7, 2024.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 15 years’ and up to 40 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, not less than 5 years and up to life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

Doob Tut, age 31, of Omaha, Nebraska, is charged in a five-count Indictment.&nbsp; Count 1 charges Tut with conspiracy to distribute 10 grams or more of fentanyl beginning on or about October 18, 2023, and continuing to on or about October 16, 2024.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 5 years’ and up to 40 years’ imprisonment, a $5,000,000 fine, not less than 4 years and up to life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.&nbsp; Count 2 charges Tut with distribution of 10 grams or more of fentanyl on or about November 21, 2023.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 5 years’ and up to 40 years’ imprisonment, a $5,000,000 fine, not less than 4 years and up to life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Counts 3 charges Tut with distribution of 10 grams or more of fentanyl on or about June 26, 2024.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 5 years’ and up to 40 years’ imprisonment, a $5,000,000 fine, not less than 4 years and up to life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count 4 charges Tut with being a felon in possession of a firearm on or about November 1, 2023.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 5 years’ and up to 40 years’ imprisonment, a $5,000,000 fine, not less than 4 years and up to life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count 5 charges Tut with being a felon in possession of a firearm on or about November 2, 2023.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 5 years’ and up to 40 years’ imprisonment, a $5,000,000 fine, not less than 4 years and up to life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

Rodolfo Urieta-Barba, age 33, of Bellevue, Nebraska, is charged in a two-count Indictment.&nbsp; Count 1 charges Urieta-Barba with conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine beginning on or about November 13, 2024, and continuing to on or about November 21, 2024.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, not less than 5 years and up to life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count 2 charges Urieta-Barba with possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on or about November 21, 2024.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, not less than 5 years and up to life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced the federal Grand Jury for the District of Nebraska has returned six (6) unsealed Indictments charging six (6) defendants. Indictments are charging documents that contain one or more individual counts that are merely accusations, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.Brett A. Richardson, age 55, of Lincoln, Nebraska, is charged in a ten-count Indictment with failure to pay over to the Internal Revenue Service payroll taxes throughout calendar years 2018 to 2021.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment on all counts.&nbsp;Walter James Hulit, age 37, of Walthill, Nebraska, is charged with failure to register as a sex offender from at least on or about October 2024, and continuing to on or about November 18, 2024.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, not less than 5 years and up to life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.&nbsp;Jal Chuar, age 29, of Omaha, Nebraska is charged with bank robbery on or about December 4, 2024.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.&nbsp;&nbsp;Joshua M. Meyer, age 44, of Omaha, Nebraska, is charged in a two-count Indictment. Count 1 charges Meyer with distribution of child pornography with a prior conviction beginning on or about June 27, 2023, and continuing until on or about July 17, 2023.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 15 years’ and up to 40 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, not less than 5 years and up to life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count 2 charges Meyer with distribution of child pornography with a prior conviction beginning on or about June 1, 2024, and continuing until on or about August 7, 2024.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 15 years’ and up to 40 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, not less than 5 years and up to life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.Doob Tut, age 31, of Omaha, Nebraska, is charged in a five-count Indictment.&nbsp; Count 1 charges Tut with conspiracy to distribute 10 grams or more of fentanyl beginning on or about October 18, 2023, and continuing to on or about October 16, 2024.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 5 years’ and up to 40 years’ imprisonment, a $5,000,000 fine, not less than 4 years and up to life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.&nbsp; Count 2 charges Tut with distribution of 10 grams or more of fentanyl on or about November 21, 2023.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 5 years’ and up to 40 years’ imprisonment, a $5,000,000 fine, not less than 4 years and up to life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Counts 3 charges Tut with distribution of 10 grams or more of fentanyl on or about June 26, 2024.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 5 years’ and up to 40 years’ imprisonment, a $5,000,000 fine, not less than 4 years and up to life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count 4 charges Tut with being a felon in possession of a firearm on or about November 1, 2023.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 5 years’ and up to 40 years’ imprisonment, a $5,000,000 fine, not less than 4 years and up to life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count 5 charges Tut with being a felon in possession of a firearm on or about November 2, 2023.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 5 years’ and up to 40 years’ imprisonment, a $5,000,000 fine, not less than 4 years and up to life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.Rodolfo Urieta-Barba, age 33, of Bellevue, Nebraska, is charged in a two-count Indictment.&nbsp; Count 1 charges Urieta-Barba with conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine beginning on or about November 13, 2024, and continuing to on or about November 21, 2024.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, not less than 5 years and up to life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count 2 charges Urieta-Barba with possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on or about November 21, 2024.&nbsp; The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, not less than 5 years and up to life term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.

Grand Jury for the District of Nebraska

Office of U.S. Senator Deb Fischer

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, questioned Brooke Rollins at&nbsp;the confirmation hearing on her nomination to be Secretary of Agriculture.

During the hearing, Senator Fischer asked Rollins about her plans to hold America’s trading partners accountable, the role of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in creating new export markets, and the importance of the biofuels market for agricultural producers.&nbsp;Senator Fischer also asked Rollins to commit to working with her to complete&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2024/7/fischer-advances-additional-16-million-for-construction-of-agricultural-research-service-facility-at-unl">the USDA Agricultural Research Service facility at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Innovation Campus</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Senator Fischer questions Brooke Rollins:

Senator Fischer:&nbsp;Mrs. Rollins, so good to see you. I really, really appreciated you coming to the office last month, and the great discussion that we had. As you know, the agricultural industry is the economic engine of Nebraska. We grow a lot of corn and beans and wheat and sugar beets and livestock. So, we understand the necessity of having that strong economy for our state, that food security, how important it is for our country.&nbsp; And I look forward to working with you in the future on that.

Brooke Rollins:&nbsp;&nbsp;Thank you.

Senator Fischer:&nbsp;&nbsp;You noted in your testimony that we must demand strong and steady markets for our agricultural bounty. And this is a statement that I hear consistently from our producers as well. One of those really important markets for Nebraska's agriculture is biofuels.

In his day one actions, President Trump emphasized the need for our country to be energy dominant. The President has long recognized that ag producers have a role to play in producing abundant homegrown energy. And he took steps in his executive order declaring a national energy emergency so that we can continue to allow for the sale of E15 year-round. And I've long led an effort to make this policy permanent, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to deliver on that part of the President's agenda.

We know that there's going to be a number of other biofuel decisions that will be made in the coming months that will have significant impacts on the biofuel market. I know you've heard from a number of my colleagues on this committee about the importance of that. Can you just speak briefly about how you view the importance of biofuel markets for our farmers?

Brooke Rollins:&nbsp;I will and Senator, thank you. Loved being in your office and meeting Fred Fisher. And really look forward to hopefully having more conversations in your office and in your home state of Nebraska, which is one of the shining stars of our country.

In the last few months, since the announcement was made that I was going to be hopefully, if confirmed, joining this administration and the Cabinet as the head of USDA, I have had multiple conversations with many of you on the committee and outside the committee. Your governor flew to Texas to give me a couple of hours of his time to make sure I understood specifically within your state, but frankly, how this affects so much of the Midwest and in our corn states.

My commitment is to defend and protect and fight for all of American agriculture. Clearly, in the last administration, this issue was under the National Economic Council, Larry Kudlow, so I didn't manage it under the Domestic Policy Council. But I was certainly in a lot of the meetings, which there were a lot of meetings. President Trump would tell you in the Oval Office about this. His executive order in the last few days, mentioning biofuels is a part of his all-of-the-above strategy to reclaim energy dominance across the world is important.

Senator Fischer:&nbsp;President Trump was very generous with his time in his previous time in the Oval Office. And he's correct, we had a lot of meetings in the Oval Office.

Brooke Rollins:&nbsp;I think he said 27.

Senator Fischer:&nbsp;Truly, and he would like to get this issue settled as well. I thought maybe we would in the CR, but we'll continue to push for that. What we've seen over the last four years, and what I've heard has been a lot of disappointment from Nebraskans about the lack of any kind of trade agenda from the Biden Administration.

In fact, for the first time in decades, we've had an agricultural trade deficit. And as you said earlier, it's projected to hit a record breaking $45 billion. I understand there can be a variety of factors that impact a trade deficit, but I am concerned that part of this stems from there not being really any kind of clear agricultural trade agenda from the last administration.

We cannot see that happen again. Can you talk about how you would both hold our current trading partners accountable, and the role that you will or that you would want to see USDA play in developing these new export markets?

Brooke Rollins:&nbsp;Yes, Senator, and that $45 billion, what's remarkable about that is 42 percent of that is just in the last year. So, the wheels are falling off, and it is very, very important that the wheels get put back on as soon as possible.

I think those that know me for a long time—but even Senator, you and I have just gotten to know each other in the recent months—know that I am a relentless cheerleader for whatever it is that I have been called to do. And for this moment in my life, and to me, this moment as Scripture says, I am called to take agriculture, to preserve our rural communities, and take our products to the world and work around the clock to ensure that that sort of trade deficit begins to peel back—and hopefully, by the end of our time here in the next four years, is completely gone. And in fact, we are back in the positive and I believe we can do that.

I mentioned earlier, I think President Trump is the consummate deal maker. His heart, for rural America and for our farmers and ranchers, I think will hopefully lead the way. I certainly will be right next to him, whispering in his ear as we move forward on this and I think and hope and pray that we can begin to solve this immediately.

Senator Fischer:&nbsp;Yes. Great. Another area that I focus on is how precision ag technology can help our farmers and ranchers to achieve better yields and reduce environmental impact, and improve economic returns.

I've had a number of bills on that, and I'm going to be reintroducing and including, hopefully, in the Farm Bill that we work on. Additionally, myself and really the entire Nebraska delegation, along with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, have been working in a very close partnership with the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) on the National Center for Resilience and Regenerative Precision Agriculture at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Innovation Campus.

And last May, we broke ground on that facility. And I hope that I can continue to work with you to make sure that we get that facility completed. Can I get your commitment to continue working with me on this facility? Can I get your commitment to come to Nebraska? We had Sonny Perdue out at the ranch and had a great barbecue with neighbors. We can do that and another trip we can get you to Lincoln to see the ARS facility, what we're doing there.

Brooke Rollins:&nbsp;That would be my great honor.

Senator Fischer:&nbsp;Great, thank you.

Brooke Rollins:&nbsp;Thank you, Senator.

Office of U.S. Senator Deb FischerWASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, questioned Brooke Rollins at&nbsp;the confirmation hearing on her nomination to be Secretary of Agriculture.During the hearing, Senator Fischer asked Rollins about her plans to hold America’s trading partners accountable, the role of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in creating new export markets, and the importance of the biofuels market for agricultural producers.&nbsp;Senator Fischer also asked Rollins to commit to working with her to complete&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2024/7/fischer-advances-additional-16-million-for-construction-of-agricultural-research-service-facility-at-unl">the USDA Agricultural Research Service facility at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Innovation Campus</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;Senator Fischer questions Brooke Rollins:Senator Fischer:&nbsp;Mrs. Rollins, so good to see you. I really, really appreciated you coming to the office last month, and the great discussion that we had. As you know, the agricultural industry is the economic engine of Nebraska. We grow a lot of corn and beans and wheat and sugar beets and livestock. So, we understand the necessity of having that strong economy for our state, that food security, how important it is for our country.&nbsp; And I look forward to working with you in the future on that.Brooke Rollins:&nbsp;&nbsp;Thank you.Senator Fischer:&nbsp;&nbsp;You noted in your testimony that we must demand strong and steady markets for our agricultural bounty. And this is a statement that I hear consistently from our producers as well. One of those really important markets for Nebraska's agriculture is biofuels.In his day one actions, President Trump emphasized the need for our country to be energy dominant. The President has long recognized that ag producers have a role to play in producing abundant homegrown energy. And he took steps in his executive order declaring a national energy emergency so that we can continue to allow for the sale of E15 year-round. And I've long led an effort to make this policy permanent, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to deliver on that part of the President's agenda.We know that there's going to be a number of other biofuel decisions that will be made in the coming months that will have significant impacts on the biofuel market. I know you've heard from a number of my colleagues on this committee about the importance of that. Can you just speak briefly about how you view the importance of biofuel markets for our farmers?Brooke Rollins:&nbsp;I will and Senator, thank you. Loved being in your office and meeting Fred Fisher. And really look forward to hopefully having more conversations in your office and in your home state of Nebraska, which is one of the shining stars of our country.In the last few months, since the announcement was made that I was going to be hopefully, if confirmed, joining this administration and the Cabinet as the head of USDA, I have had multiple conversations with many of you on the committee and outside the committee. Your governor flew to Texas to give me a couple of hours of his time to make sure I understood specifically within your state, but frankly, how this affects so much of the Midwest and in our corn states.My commitment is to defend and protect and fight for all of American agriculture. Clearly, in the last administration, this issue was under the National Economic Council, Larry Kudlow, so I didn't manage it under the Domestic Policy Council. But I was certainly in a lot of the meetings, which there were a lot of meetings. President Trump would tell you in the Oval Office about this. His executive order in the last few days, mentioning biofuels is a part of his all-of-the-above strategy to reclaim energy dominance across the world is important.Senator Fischer:&nbsp;President Trump was very generous with his time in his previous time in the Oval Office. And he's correct, we had a lot of meetings in the Oval Office.Brooke Rollins:&nbsp;I think he said 27.Senator Fischer:&nbsp;Truly, and he would like to get this issue settled as well. I thought maybe we would in the CR, but we'll continue to push for that. What we've seen over the last four years, and what I've heard has been a lot of disappointment from Nebraskans about the lack of any kind of trade agenda from the Biden Administration.In fact, for the first time in decades, we've had an agricultural trade deficit. And as you said earlier, it's projected to hit a record breaking $45 billion. I understand there can be a variety of factors that impact a trade deficit, but I am concerned that part of this stems from there not being really any kind of clear agricultural trade agenda from the last administration.We cannot see that happen again. Can you talk about how you would both hold our current trading partners accountable, and the role that you will or that you would want to see USDA play in developing these new export markets?Brooke Rollins:&nbsp;Yes, Senator, and that $45 billion, what's remarkable about that is 42 percent of that is just in the last year. So, the wheels are falling off, and it is very, very important that the wheels get put back on as soon as possible.I think those that know me for a long time—but even Senator, you and I have just gotten to know each other in the recent months—know that I am a relentless cheerleader for whatever it is that I have been called to do. And for this moment in my life, and to me, this moment as Scripture says, I am called to take agriculture, to preserve our rural communities, and take our products to the world and work around the clock to ensure that that sort of trade deficit begins to peel back—and hopefully, by the end of our time here in the next four years, is completely gone. And in fact, we are back in the positive and I believe we can do that.I mentioned earlier, I think President Trump is the consummate deal maker. His heart, for rural America and for our farmers and ranchers, I think will hopefully lead the way. I certainly will be right next to him, whispering in his ear as we move forward on this and I think and hope and pray that we can begin to solve this immediately.Senator Fischer:&nbsp;Yes. Great. Another area that I focus on is how precision ag technology can help our farmers and ranchers to achieve better yields and reduce environmental impact, and improve economic returns.I've had a number of bills on that, and I'm going to be reintroducing and including, hopefully, in the Farm Bill that we work on. Additionally, myself and really the entire Nebraska delegation, along with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, have been working in a very close partnership with the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) on the National Center for Resilience and Regenerative Precision Agriculture at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Innovation Campus.And last May, we broke ground on that facility. And I hope that I can continue to work with you to make sure that we get that facility completed. Can I get your commitment to continue working with me on this facility? Can I get your commitment to come to Nebraska? We had Sonny Perdue out at the ranch and had a great barbecue with neighbors. We can do that and another trip we can get you to Lincoln to see the ARS facility, what we're doing there.Brooke Rollins:&nbsp;That would be my great honor.Senator Fischer:&nbsp;Great, thank you.Brooke Rollins:&nbsp;Thank you, Senator.

Fischer Questions Brooke Rollins at Confirmation Hearing

Lincoln, NE ‐ January 24, 2025 ‐ One lucky player who bought a 2by2 ticket for the Thursday, January 23 drawing is holding a ticket worth $22,000.

The Nebraska Lottery has confirmed that one ticket sold for Thursday's 2by2 draw matched all four winning numbers for the $22,000 top prize. The ticket was sold at Snac Shac, 715 S Locust St, in Grand Island. The winning numbers from Thursday's 2by2 draw were and Red 24, 25, White 09, 19.

Winning Nebraska Lottery Lotto tickets expire 180 days after the drawing. Prizes of $20,000 or more must be claimed in person at Lottery headquarters in Lincoln. Additional information about claiming prizes can be found at the Nebraska Lottery website,&nbsp;<a href="http://nelottery.com/" target="_blank">nelottery.com</a>, or by calling 800-587-5200.

2by2 is run by the Multi-State Lottery Association and was introduced in June 2002. Players in Idaho, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Wyoming have the opportunity to win up to $22,000 Monday through Sunday by playing 2by2. The odds of winning the $22,000 2by2 top prize are 1 in 105,625. The overall odds of winning any prize are 1 in 3.59.

The mission of the Nebraska Lottery is to generate proceeds for good causes while providing quality entertainment options to Nebraskans. Over $1.015 billion 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.

Neil WatsonNebraska LotteryLincoln, NE ‐ January 24, 2025 ‐ One lucky player who bought a 2by2 ticket for the Thursday, January 23 drawing is holding a ticket worth $22,000.The Nebraska Lottery has confirmed that one ticket sold for Thursday's 2by2 draw matched all four winning numbers for the $22,000 top prize. The ticket was sold at Snac Shac, 715 S Locust St, in Grand Island. The winning numbers from Thursday's 2by2 draw were and Red 24, 25, White 09, 19.Winning Nebraska Lottery Lotto tickets expire 180 days after the drawing. Prizes of $20,000 or more must be claimed in person at Lottery headquarters in Lincoln. Additional information about claiming prizes can be found at the Nebraska Lottery website,&nbsp;<a href="http://nelottery.com/" target="_blank">nelottery.com</a>, or by calling 800-587-5200.2by2 is run by the Multi-State Lottery Association and was introduced in June 2002. Players in Idaho, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Wyoming have the opportunity to win up to $22,000 Monday through Sunday by playing 2by2. The odds of winning the $22,000 2by2 top prize are 1 in 105,625. The overall odds of winning any prize are 1 in 3.59.The mission of the Nebraska Lottery is to generate proceeds for good causes while providing quality entertainment options to Nebraskans. Over $1.015 billion 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.

$22,000 2by2 Winning Ticket Sold in Grand Island

WASHINGTON —A Capitol Police officer has been suspended after a man with a gun was able to get past a security check at the Capitol Visitor Center.

“On Tuesday, the United States Capitol Police (USCP) received a lookout for a man with reported mental health issues and suicidal thoughts who was believed to be armed and in the area, according to a media release.

Just after 1p.m. Capitol Police officers spotted the man’s car on First Street, near East Capitol Street, NE. Officers conducted a canvass of the area and discovered that the man had recently entered the Capitol Visitor Center&nbsp; and taken a Capitol tour.

At 2:15 p.m., the man identified as 27-year-old James A. Faber of Massachusetts, was found leaving the Library of Congress, after the tour, and walking towards his car. He was stopped, searched, and arrested. 

Officers discovered a small 9mm handgun concealed in his waistband. 

Faber is being held on requested charges of Unlawful Activities, Carrying a Pistol Without a License, Possession of an Unregistered Firearm, Unlawful Possession of Ammunition, and Resisting Arrest. 

The case is currently with the U.S. Attorney’s Office. 

USCP security video shows Faber entered through the south Capitol Visitors Center checkpoint. After the magnetometers sounded, an officer performed a secondary hand search, and Faber was let into the building.&nbsp; The officer is suspended while the USCP’s Office of Professional Responsibility is conducting an administrative investigation into the officer’s performance of that search. 

At this time, there is no indication that the man was coming to harm the Congress. Nobody was hurt. The USCP demands the highest standards when it comes to screening visitors, so a full review of this incident has already been ordered, as well as mandatory refresher training on security screening, so this never happens again.”

WASHINGTON —A Capitol Police officer has been suspended after a man with a gun was able to get past a security check at the Capitol Visitor Center.“On Tuesday, the United States Capitol Police (USCP) received a lookout for a man with reported mental health issues and suicidal thoughts who was believed to be armed and in the area, according to a media release.Just after 1p.m. Capitol Police officers spotted the man’s car on First Street, near East Capitol Street, NE. Officers conducted a canvass of the area and discovered that the man had recently entered the Capitol Visitor Center&nbsp; and taken a Capitol tour.At 2:15 p.m., the man identified as 27-year-old James A. Faber of Massachusetts, was found leaving the Library of Congress, after the tour, and walking towards his car. He was stopped, searched, and arrested. Officers discovered a small 9mm handgun concealed in his waistband. Faber is being held on requested charges of Unlawful Activities, Carrying a Pistol Without a License, Possession of an Unregistered Firearm, Unlawful Possession of Ammunition, and Resisting Arrest. The case is currently with the U.S. Attorney’s Office. USCP security video shows Faber entered through the south Capitol Visitors Center checkpoint. After the magnetometers sounded, an officer performed a secondary hand search, and Faber was let into the building.&nbsp; The officer is suspended while the USCP’s Office of Professional Responsibility is conducting an administrative investigation into the officer’s performance of that search. At this time, there is no indication that the man was coming to harm the Congress. Nobody was hurt. The USCP demands the highest standards when it comes to screening visitors, so a full review of this incident has already been ordered, as well as mandatory refresher training on security screening, so this never happens again.”

Man with a loaded gun got past security at U.S. Capitol

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/01/23/lawmakers-propose-regulations-to-implement-nebraskas-new-medical-cannabis-laws/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — Three similar legislative proposals introduced Wednesday seek to help implement the voter-enacted legalization and regulation of medical cannabis in Nebraska by later this year.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737665685146.jpeg" alt="Supporters of medical cannabis helped two measures reach the 2024 general election ballot, Initiatives 437 and 438. Some spoke during a public hearing at the University of Nebraska at Omaha on Oct. 25, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>Supporters of medical cannabis helped two measures reach the 2024 general election ballot, Initiatives 437 and 438. Some spoke during a public hearing at the University of Nebraska at Omaha on Oct. 25, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Zach Wendling<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/01/23/lawmakers-propose-regulations-to-implement-nebraskas-new-medical-cannabis-laws/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — Three similar legislative proposals introduced Wednesday seek to help implement the voter-enacted legalization and regulation of medical cannabis in Nebraska by later this year.The legislation, introduced by State Sens. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln, Ben Hansen of Blair and Terrell McKinney of Omaha, would create registry programs and further stipulate the licensing and regulatory duties of the new Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission.&nbsp;All three would allow Nebraskans, after receiving a written recommendation from a health care practitioner for medical cannabis, to apply for a registry card, identifying them as a qualified patient. The registry would similarly apply to registered caregivers, such as for minors.The bills, which are all structurally similar with some key differences, are:&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=59170" target="_blank">Legislative Bill 651</a>&nbsp;(Conrad),&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=58979" target="_blank">LB 677</a>&nbsp;(Hansen) and&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=59708" target="_blank">LB 705</a>&nbsp;(McKinney).“The time is long overdue that Nebraskans in need of care have access to that care,” Conrad told reporters.“I think we’re in a little bit of a unique position, where a lot of other states have already gone this direction,” Hansen said. “We have the ability to see what has worked well for others and what hasn’t.”Without further state law changes, the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission must establish criteria to accept or deny applications for registered cannabis establishments&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/11/26/whats-next-for-nebraska-medical-cannabis-paid-sick-leave-abortion-school-choice/">by July 1</a>. Licenses could then be granted as early as Oct. 1.Conrad, Hansen and McKinney would delay the start of licensing slightly, to give commissioners more time to work on the new regulations. Applications could instead be filed beginning Jan. 1, 2026.<h2>A fourth proposal</h2>A fourth bill,&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=59393" target="_blank">LB 483</a>&nbsp;from freshman State Sen. Jared Storm of David City, would limit legal medical cannabis to 300 milligrams of delta-9 THC, the compound in the cannabis plant most commonly associated with getting a person high.LB 483 would also limit “permissible” cannabis to the form of pills or liquid tinctures, which are concentrated herbal extracts.&nbsp;With about 28,350 milligrams per ounce, Storm’s bill would reduce legalization to about 0.21% of what&nbsp;<a href="https://sos.nebraska.gov/sites/default/files/doc/elections/2024/2024%20General%20Canvass%20Book.pdf" target="_blank">71% of voters authorized</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/11/06/medical-cannabis-prevails-at-nebraskas-ballot-box-but-fate-depends-on-legal-challenges/">less than three months ago</a>. About 67% of Nebraska voters also supported the second measure, to&nbsp;<a href="https://sos.nebraska.gov/sites/default/files/doc/elections/2024/2024%20Ballot%20Measures%20Pamphlet.pdf" target="_blank">regulate medical cannabis</a>. Storm’s legislative district of Butler, Colfax and Saunders Counties approved both measures.Storm declined to comment on his bill.<h2>‘Best interest at heart’</h2>Conrad said some patients seeking medical cannabis can’t take pills because of their conditions. She said she drafted her bill with advocates from the recent medical marijuana campaign for “one of the most expansive bills possible to effectuate the will of the people as swiftly as possible.”She said she and Hansen are committed to enacting the will of the people.“When and if those negotiations happen, I want to make sure to have their best interest at heart and in the room,” Conrad said.Hansen said enacting the will of the people is important to him after multiple years around the issue, including working with former State Sen. Anna Wishart of Lincoln, a former lead member of the medical cannabis efforts. A&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=43730" target="_blank">2021 bill from Wishart</a>&nbsp;fell&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_votes.php?KeyID=7039" target="_blank">two votes short</a>&nbsp;of advancing.“It’s my kind of somewhat conservative-Libertarian-leaning stance about is it the government’s right to deny you a natural or a different form of medication to help with a&nbsp;condition&nbsp;as opposed to pharmaceutical medications,” Hansen said. “That’s what the people, I think, wanted as well, just the option to use it if they could.”The cannabis ballot measures continue to be challenged in court, with one lawsuit being appealed to the Nebraska Supreme Court and another&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/01/13/lawsuit-against-nebraska-medical-cannabis-extended-to-regulatory-board-state-agencies/">against multiple state officials and the campaign</a>&nbsp;in Lancaster County District Court.Gov. Jim Pillen and Attorney General Mike Hilgers have&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/12/12/medical-cannabis-paid-sick-leave-abortion-restrictions-and-school-choice-repeal-take-effect/">questioned the constitutionality of the measures</a>&nbsp;under federal law, which they argue bans marijuana because the drug is classified as a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dea.gov/drug-information/drug-scheduling" target="_blank">Schedule I drug</a>, defined as having no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.Conrad, however, said that opposition is a “political opinion” that is odd when compared with the wide latitude authorized in the U.S. Constitution for states’ rights. The Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana campaign has made similar arguments, pointing to&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/12/10/new-lawsuit-seeks-to-void-nebraska-medical-cannabis-ballot-measures/">dozens of other states with medical cannabis programs</a>&nbsp;under the&nbsp;<a href="https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-10/#:~:text=Tenth%20Amendment%20Explained,respectively%2C%20or%20to%20the%20people." target="_blank">10th Amendment</a>.<h2>Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission</h2>Under the regulatory bills from McKinney, Conrad and Hansen, all three would prohibit a patient, caregiver or other licensed officials under the law from being arrested, prosecuted or penalized for following the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Patient Protection Act or Nebraska Medical Cannabis Regulation Act.Medical cannabis would be legalized for all patients in all three bills, up to 5 ounces.&nbsp;Conrad and McKinney would allow a health care practitioner to write a recommendation for a greater amount, depending on a patient’s needs.The bills from Conrad and McKinney would set up a confidential patient and caregiver registry in the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. Hansen’s bill would put a registry as part of the new Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission, with an application fee of up to $45.All three regulatory bills would maintain membership on the new commission as the members of the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission and the authority of the governor to appoint up to two more commissioners.&nbsp;The new commission also would have an executive director, who could be the same person across the liquor and medical cannabis commissions.Under the proposed laws, commissioners could not have conflicts of interest for cannabis sales or licensing, in addition to existing conflict of interest laws governing liquor sales and licensing.The Nebraska Department of Revenue, DHHS, Nebraska Department of Agriculture and the Medical Cannabis Commission would all collaborate to execute the new laws, too.The new bills include language about cultivating and transporting cannabis in Nebraska.<h2>Proposed restrictions to use</h2>The laws voters passed do not supersede or replace prohibitions on using or possessing cannabis in the following situations:<ul>
 <li>While undertaking any task that would constitute negligence or professional malpractice because of cannabis use (including driving or while at work).</li><li>On K-12 postsecondary school grounds, including on school buses or in vans.</li><li>In any jail, adult or juvenile correctional facility or a youth rehabilitation and treatment center.</li><li>At any child care facility or home day care.</li>
 </ul>In some circumstances, minor patients or workers could use or access their medical cannabis at schools or in child care, foster care or health care facilities. Those places could impose “reasonable restrictions” but could not “unreasonably limit” the patient’s access to the medicine.However, if allowing cannabis would risk financial penalties or loss of a license under federal law or regulations, cannabis could still be banned.Smoking cannabis or inhaling cannabis would also remain illegal if it could be inhaled by a nonpatient minor child or is used in a public place, other than with an aerosol inhaler.Employers would not be required to permit or accommodate cannabis possession or use or and could restrict use of the drug&nbsp;under all three bills.&nbsp;Drug-testing and drug-free work policies could still be enforced.McKinney’s bill would specifically prohibit employers from discriminating against a qualified patient or registered caregiver in hiring, firing or other conditions of employment unless the employee used cannabis during work hours and the usage impaired job performance or safety. Employers would need to provide reasonable accommodations under McKinney’s approach.Insurance and Medicaid plans would not be required to cover the costs of cannabis in the versions from Hansen and Conrad. Insurance coverage is not specified in McKinney’s bill.<h2>Licensing requirements</h2>All three bills would establish more specific licensing requirements, similar to alcohol establishments now, with set fees, license types or business tiers.Conrad would create five license types: cultivator, dispensary, products manufacturer, testing facility and vertical (for an “integrated” medical cannabis business). Hansen would allow one additional type for transporters.Vertical licenses, which would include other licenses for businesses, would be limited across congressional districts. All licenses would also be limited in the number issued, except transporters.Instead of “vertical” licenses, McKinney would add a patient delivery license and set up three tiers of businesses —&nbsp;microbusinesses, small businesses and large-scale operators.<h2>Social equity and justice</h2>McKinney’s bill would stipulate that beginning on Jan. 1 for licensing applications, only “social equity applicants” could apply. He would reserve more than half of all licenses for people who have lived in areas impacted by state and federal marijuana possession and distribution laws or who were themselves disproportionately harmed by the country’s “war on drugs.”Such applicants would be eligible for mentorship and financial assistance in new programs proposed through the Nebraska Department of Economic Development.Other applicants could apply beginning April 1, 2026.The bill also offers resentencing or the automatic erasure and expungement of criminal wrongdoing for certain marijuana-related offenses.&nbsp;McKinney said his goal in LB 705 is to have a conversation about equity and justice, particularly for people who have been harmed in the past.“It’s cool to legalize it, but I want to make sure that those that have been negatively affected and disproportionately affected by marijuana laws and cannabis laws have an opportunity to take advantage of the law change,” McKinney said.<h2>‘The will of the people’</h2>Hansen said many factors went into his bill, such as the ballot measure and what voters approved, possible economic benefits and “what we can with live with as a Legislature.”“I don’t think we should pass the bill or do this because we’re going to make money,” Hansen said. “It’s because it’s what the people wanted, and it’s right for our state.”Sales taxes are not applied to medicines in Nebraska, but McKinney, Conrad and Hansen would redefine “medical cannabis” to make it subject to state and local sales taxes.&nbsp;Storm’s bill doesn’t include that change, meaning it would not be taxed under LB 483.McKinney would tax cannabis at the statewide 5.5 cents per $1 purchase, before local taxes. Hansen and Conrad are seeking a 4-cent state sales tax rate per $1 purchase, before local taxes.Revenue from sales taxes would be funneled back into the program under the proposals from McKinney and Conrad. Hansen’s bill would redirect the cannabis tax revenues toward property tax relief.Because voters enacted the measures at the ballot box, lawmakers would need 33 votes in the 49-member Legislature to amend, narrow or reapl any related legislation&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/articles.php?article=III-2#:~:text=The%20first%20power%20reserved%20by,be%20set%20forth%20at%20length." target="_blank">under the Nebraska Constitution</a>.Conrad said that means patients and advocates already have a “fail-safe plan” because if lawmakers don’t get 33 votes, the measures are self-enacting and will take effect anyway.“Our hope is that we’re going to work as fast and as hard as possible to make sure that they can get access to the care that they need,” Conrad said. “But if the Legislature stands in the way of that, the will of the people will prevail.”